The latest cleanup bill, introduced in the Senate Thursday and due for a committee vote Tuesday, does away with stationhouse adjustments and curbside warnings, intervention methods for underage marijuana users that brought objections from members of the Legislative Black and Latino Caucuses, in favor written warnings for marijuana users under the age of 18 that eventually graduate to community service or a fine of up to $50.
Those aged 18, 19 or 20 would be subject to the fine on their first offense without the option of community service.
But even those provisions are still in flux. State Sens. Nellie Pou (D-Paterson) and Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden) during the hearing said the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday would consider amendments removing the fines for minors altogether.
“One of the amendments that our bill tomorrow hopefully will reflect is the fact that we will be removing the civil penalty fines of the $50,” said Pou, who chairs the Legislative Latino Caucus. “I know we’ve heard testimony here today about what the impact of what that may or may not do.”
The amendment would keep fines in place for users aged 18, 19 and 20.