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.