Some Drug Sanity In New Jersey?

From Freedom is Green - maybe a breath of fresh air for New Jersey's present draconian posture.

NJ Legislators Support New Marijuana Decrim Bill by Chris Goldstein

Sensible New Jersey logo by Garret Overstreet Web Design and Heather Kumer

6/29/2011 – The Garden State is joining the national discussion about changing marijuana laws. A bi-partisan bill to remove criminal penalties for adults in possession of a small amount of cannabis was introduced today in Trenton with strong initial support. A4252 “Decriminalizes possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana.” The bill has seventeen sponsors led by Assemblymen Reed Gusciora (D-25) and Michael Patrick Carroll (R-15).

New Jersey performs more arrests for marijuana than for all other drugs combined. In 2009 (the most recent data) 22, 439 people were arrested for possessing less than 50 grams of cannabis. Currently, adults caught with anything from a joint to two-ounces are treated the same way, with a custodial arrest and a criminal prosecution.

The language of the bill will be available soon on the Legislature’s website: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/. Right now the only information online is the impressive list of initial sponsors.

Gusciora, Reed as Primary sponsor

Carroll, Michael Patrick as Primary Sponsor

Vandervalk, Charlotte as Co-Sponsor

Vainieri Huttle, Valerie as Co-Sponsor

Coutinho, Albert as Co-Sponsor

Tucker, Cleopatra G. as Co-Sponsor

Caputo, Ralph R. as Co-Sponsor

Ryan, Kevin J. as Co-Sponsor

O’Scanlon, Declan J., Jr. as Co-Sponsor

Diegnan, Patrick J., Jr. as Co-Sponsor

Stender, Linda as Co-Sponsor

Lampitt, Pamela R. as Co-Sponsor

Johnson, Gordon M. as Co-Sponsor

Jasey, Mila M. as Co-Sponsor

Rumpf, Brian E. as Co-Sponsor

Coughlin, Craig J. as Co-Sponsor

Casagrande, Caroline as Co-Sponsor

“We are excited to begin this conversation in the Legislature and will continue to lay the foundation for this groundbreaking effort to cut costs and end the failed practice of criminalizing otherwise productive members of society for possessing a substance that is less dangerous than alcohol,” stated Victor Pinho, a Sensible New Jersey coordinator and NJ Chapter Coordinator for SSDP.

Check back soon at freedomisgreen.com for updates on this emerging topic.