O’Scanlon Introduces Legislation to Crackdown on Underage Alcohol and Cannabis Use
Senator Declan O’Scanlon introduced legislation that would reinstate penalties for underage possession and consumption of alcohol and cannabis.
Senator Declan O’Scanlon introduced legislation that would reinstate penalties for underage possession and consumption of alcohol and cannabis.
Measures that expose police officers to potential criminal liability if they search an underage person for marijuana or alcohol would be delayed by a year under legislation (A5833) introduced on June 2 by Assemblyman Sean T. Kean.
Mayor Jay Gillian May 22 hosted a town hall meeting, at the Ocean City Tabernacle, to inform people about New Jersey’s new laws legalizing recreational marijuana use. Police Chief Jay Prettyman and members of Ocean City Council also attended.
“We are anticipating an exceptionally busy summer in Ocean City, as the recovery from the Covid pandemic continues and people are anxious to return to normal, but now that New Jersey has eliminated sanctions for underage possession and use of marijuana and alcohol, the summer could feel very different,” Gillian stated.
Ocean City police officers will have to be extra careful in how they handle juvenile offenders who are smoking pot or drinking alcohol on the beaches, the Boardwalk or other parts of town this summer.
In a dramatic twist, police may be the ones at risk of getting arrested – not the offenders, Police Chief Jay Prettyman said.
New Jersey’s legalization of recreational marijuana this year includes legal restraints that will dramatically change the way officers statewide respond to underage offenders who are smoking pot or drinking alcohol.
“Discouraging law enforcement from protecting children against the dangers of using marijuana and alcohol is a major problem and the Legislature needs to step in to fix the flawed laws, yet again,” said Bramnick (R-Union). “An officer could be subject to a third-degree criminal charge for simply doing their jobs. The so-called social justice reforms are in fact endangering the welfare of residents. Before New Jersey has sold an ounce of adult-use marijuana we are forced to confront these unintended consequences.”
Possession Of Up To Six Ounces Now Legal
This April 20, stoners across New Jersey will rejoice as they pull out their lighters and prepare to spend an ungodly amount of money on snacks in the middle of the night. After years of apprehension, marijuana was legalized in New Jersey by Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), opening the door to the recreational usage of the substance to all over 21.
This landmark decision was celebrated not only due to the many highs it sparked but also because it marked the end to at least one segment of the war on drugs.
The Barnegat police chief first expressed his views on the new marijuana laws, including the most recent amendment that allows law enforcement authorities to notify parents when their underage children are using marijuana or alcohol — or found with either in their possession.
“If you are a New Jersey voter who voted or supports the new law, you voted to legalize cannabis for adults,” maintained Germain. “What the legislature did was pass a disaster of a law that essentially legalizes marijuana and alcohol for kids.”
School Superintendent Scott Feder weighed in on the controversial marijuana law that, before state lawmakers approved changes on Friday, prevented police from notifying parents of underaged users.
On Thursday, Feder told parents that irrespective of forthcoming changes to the law, if students are caught smoking pot or drinking alcohol, the school district will inform them.
"We want to tell you as a school, if your child is caught with marijuana or alcohol, you will absolutely be notified," Feder said.
Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill into law on Friday that requires police to tell parents when their kids have marijuana in New Jersey.
The bill, A-5472, "requires law enforcement to provide written notification to a parent or guardian of anyone under age 18 who commits first offense of unlawfully possessing or consuming an alcoholic beverage, cannabis, marijuana, or hashish."
Murphy hinted that the change could be coming earlier this month.
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