Newark City Council Says Pot Should Be Banned For Local Cops

NEWARK, NJ — The Newark Municipal Council passed a resolution on Wednesday in favor of banning local police officers from using marijuana, a day before New Jersey began its first legal recreational cannabis sales.

Off-duty police officers in New Jersey can partake in consuming cannabis without penalty, according to Acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin. However, Gov. Phil Murphy has said he is open to legislative efforts to bar police officers from sparking up in their free time.

The council’s resolution urges city administrators and Mayor Ras Baraka to issue an order that prohibits Newark police officers from using marijuana while off-duty. It was approved by a vote of 5-0, with Central Ward Councilwoman LaMonica McIver abstaining.

The resolution now heads to the mayor and city business administrator for consideration.

North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, who sponsored the resolution, said police officers are prohibited by federal law from using marijuana because they are required to carry firearms. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms prohibits any firearms purchaser from using cannabis, he noted.

“Since police are required to carry a firearm both on and off duty, they would be unable to perform their duties under the federal law,” Ramos said. “If and when the federal law is changed, only then should we even begin to consider the possibility of police officers using marijuana.”

• See related article: Every NJ House Democrat Votes To Decriminalize Marijuana

Ramos said he is also concerned that cannabis could possibly impair a police officer's judgement, and could lead to questions in court about an officer's actions.

“Being an armed police officer is a privilege that comes with great responsibility,” Ramos said. “Allowing police officers to use marijuana – even when they are off-duty – is just bad public policy, plain and simple.”

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