Lawmakers are moving ahead with the second bill proposed in recent weeks that would decriminalize certain levels of marijuana possession in New Jersey, amid mounting protests both in the state and nationwide against racial inequality.
Their introduction comes months ahead of a ballot question set for November’s 2020 presidential election, where voters will decide whether recreational marijuana should be legalized for adult-use.
The measures – Assembly Bills 1897 and 4269 – initially introduced Monday at the Assembly Community Development and Affairs Committee, were combined before passing by four votes with two abstentions.
One of the abstentions came from Assemblyman Ryan Peters, R-8th District, who said that he had not received a copy of the draft legislation and as such, would not vote on the proposal.
Together, the new bill calls for decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of cannabis and scaling back civil and criminal penalties for possessing large amounts. The new bill also expands and quickens how someone with cannabis-related offenses could get those records expunged.
According to the Assembly Democrats Office, the state shells out roughly $127 million each year on cannabis possession law enforcement.