UPDATE: NJ Senate Advances Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

NEW JERSEY — The state Senate advanced a marijuana decriminalization measure that would allow residents to possess up to six ounces of marijuana without threat of arrest in a Monday session.

A six ounce threshold for marijuana possession would be the highest of any American decriminalization bill to date.

The bill provides a bridge to the legalization of recreational marijuana — which New Jersey voters supported overwhelmingly — and would halt arrests until that law goes into effect.

"I am proud to have been a driving force behind what will be the most progressive decriminalization bill in the country," said Senator Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), who co-sponsored the bill.

Not only does the bill decriminalize possession, but also first offenses for low-level distribution, a move that offers "individuals a second chance and ensure they do not become entangled in the system the first time they are caught selling small quantities of marijuana," Ruiz added.

Under the bill, distribution of up to one ounce would carry a civil penalty for the first offense and would be a fourth-degree crime for any subsequent offenses.

Senator Ronald Rice (D-Essex), the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Chair, has spoken often about the need to right the wrongs inflicted on Black and Brown communities disproportionately impacted by drug arrests. This vote, he said, is the first step.

"The voters approved legalizing adult-use marijuana last week, so now it is time we decriminalize it so that folks in Black and Brown communities across the state do not continue to be disproportionately arrested for possession," he said in a statement.

"Decriminalization is the long-sought remedy for rampant injustice in our state. If social justice was truly the primary focus surrounding adult-use marijuana, now is the time to act."

Rice also co-sponsored the bill.

In addition to decriminalization, the bill would also create a new form of "virtual" expungement.

Any arrest, charge, or conviction for certain marijuana offenses that occurred prior to the bill's effective date would be deemed not to have occurred, so there would be no need to petition the court for an expungement.

It was released from the Senate in overwhelming fashion, with a vote of 29-4.

Originally, the Senate and Assembly were both slated to vote on the measure, but, the Asbury Park Press reports, Assembly Democrats were unable to reach a consensus on the measure Monday.

Senator Nicholas Scutari urged a swift decision on this matter, citing how important it was to send a strong message that this issue is of utmost importance.

"As we diligently work to set in place the needed infrastructure to support a regulated industry in New Jersey, we have to make sure we deliver a strong and clear message to law enforcement that marijuana will no longer be criminalized as we wait for the regulated market to come online," he said.

The amendment legalizing marijuana goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2021, but before that happens there are still details needing to be worked out.

READ MORE HERE: NJ Gets Ball Rolling On Marijuana Legalization After Election