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Lawmakers took another step toward decriminalizing the possession of marijuana Thursday, moving quickly after New Jersey voters last week came out in favor of legalization.
The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee advanced the bill (S2535), which would legalize possession of up to six ounces of marijuana and make distribution of one ounce a civil penalty.
“I’m really proud that this bill is unique in of its kind," said Sen. Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex, who sponsored the legislation. "New Jersey will be at the forefront of the decriminalization conversations.”
New York City and Philadelphia have decriminalized just two ounces and one ounce, respectively.
Voters said yes last week to a referendum that will amend the state constitution to make marijuana legal. But legislators still need to pass bills to guide the marijuana industry and also halt arrests for possession.
When introduced in June, the legislation originally proposed decriminalized possession of a pound of marijuana. The bill also addresses distribution. Under the amended bill, distribution of up to one ounce of marijuana will result in a written warning for a first offense. Subsequent incidents would be fourth degree offenses.
An amendment to the bill approved Thursday also changes the penalties for possession of Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as “magic” mushrooms. Rather than resulting in a felony, possession of up to one ounce would become a disorderly persons offense.
Lawmakers were scheduled to hold a hearing on the bill that will enable the industry Thursday, but held the bill. Advocates who testified during hearings on the bill Monday took issue with provisions that set tax revenue aside for the regulatory process, police training and the state’s general fund, rather than directing it back to community programs in cities and towns disproportionately affected by the drug war.
Advocates and some lawmakers expressed frustration over the delays in the decriminalization bill, but Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, has said previously he held off a vote because he wanted to wait to see if voters would approve legalization of recreational weed.
In the five months since the decriminalization bill was introduced, police have continued to arrest people for marijuana offenses, including possession. On average, they arrest Black people 3.5 times more often than white people, according to the ACLU.
Ruiz said she was not entirely happy with the bill and would have like to see it go further, but was glad to move something forward that would address the continued criminality of marijuana.
“At least we accomplished something to protect the most vulnerable and send the message that New Jersey is beginning to right its wrongs," she said.
The bill will go before the full Senate for a vote Monday.
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Amanda Hoover may be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj.