A surprise bill that would decriminalize marijuana possession in New Jersey died in one committee early Monday. Then, like a phoenix emerging from a skunky ashtray, it came back a few hours later in another.
The controversial bill, NJ A5325 (18R), was introduced to considerable fanfare Friday evening as an alternative to abandoned legislation that would have legalized cannabis for recreational use.
The bill was expected to be heard by the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Monday morning, but its chairwoman, Annette Quijano (D-Union), one of the bill’s lead sponsors, pulled it at the last minute, claiming it needed more input from prospective sponsors on the Senate side as well as from the Murphy administration and the Administrative Office of the Courts.
In a gaggle with reporters, Quijano said it could take days or weeks before her committee would hear the bill. But less than two hours later, the Assembly Appropriations Committee signed off on the legislation — which decriminalizes the possession of up to two ounces of marijuana — without hearing testimony.
Current New Jersey law allows prosecutors to pursue third-degree felony charges for anyone caught with between 1 ounce and 5 pounds of cannabis.