LD-11 Officials Introduce Marijuana Home Grow Bill

MONMOUTH COUNTY - Senator Vin Gopal (D-11) and Assembly Members Joann Downey (D-11) and Eric Houghtaling (D-11) introduced legislation last week to the NJ State Legislature to allow individuals aged 21 and over to grow recreational and medical cannabis at home.

The legislation would allow people 21 and older to grow up to six plants for recreational use or up to 10 plants for medical use. A single household would not be permitted to have more than 12 plants.

"Home grow just makes sense. Let people be. They’re not hurting anyone. And if that helps, especially on the medical side as well, then we should embrace it,” said Sen. Gopal. “Allow people 21 and older to grow up to six plants for recreational use or up to 10 plants for medical use."

Home grow just makes sense. Let people be. They’re not hurting anyone. And if that helps, especially on the medical side as well, then we should embrace it. #policyprogress #njcannabis https://t.co/LoSA88UAKy pic.twitter.com/z871xOaFWl
— Senator Vin Gopal (@vingopal) March 26, 2021

Growing five plants or less can result in a 3-5 year prison sentence and a $25,000 fine.

Previously, Sen. Troy Singleton (D-Burlington) introduced a bill in February to give medical marijuana patients permission to grow up to four plants, a measure that could potentially squash surging prices and accessibility issues that have historically hindered patients from receiving the treatment.

But despite the push for home grow, Gov. Phil Murphy has declined to address the issue since legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.

“Am I open-minded to decriminalizations, further decriminalization? I suppose so, but I think we’ve taken the biggest step, and that is marijuana, and that’s done for social justice,” Murphy said at a press conference earlier this month.

“Allowing individuals to grow cannabis inside their homes will tremendously help those who have financial struggles and need to fill their prescription,” Assemblywoman Joann Downey said. “In most cases, individuals are paying an exorbitant amount of money at dispensaries and what they buy does not even fill their prescription. Allowing individuals to grow up to 10 plants for medical use will greatly benefit the individuals who are in pain both physically and financially.”

You can read the bill here.