Cancer patients or people with chronic pain disabilities could face arrest for merely obtaining the plant they need to live. It is not regulation to recriminalize. It’s retaliation.”
By Sophie Nieto-Muñoz, New Jersey Monitor
The New Jersey legislature debated Thursday whether it should increase enforcement against cannabis vendors who are not licensed by passing legislation that criminalizes the purchase of marijuana without a license.
The marijuana bill in New Jersey was criticized by cannabis activists who said it could bring the drug back to criminal status.
The Underside of the BillThe Senate’s President Nick Scutari has proposed that operating an unlicensed cannabis business is a third-degree offense and also a disorderly-person offense. To purchase a product from a seller who knows about it. Someone who runs an “illegal cannabis business network” will be charged with second-degree crimes.
Scutari said Thursday to the Senate Judiciary Committee that “we have a big problem” whereby people open brick-andmortar shops, small stores without a license, just to sell products. And this state doesn’t do anything about it. We need to take action against brick-and-mortar shops, as well as drug dealers.
Scutari led the legalization of recreational cannabis by introducing legislation first. In 2014, the law will regulate its use by adults.. Scutari won the 2020 election after the Legislature failed to pass bills legalizing recreational cannabis. Primary sponsor This bill would legalize marijuana.
Scutari stated that the new legislation was a response to the “black market and gray markets” which have flourished despite the fact that hundreds of dispensaries had opened across the state.
New Jersey is home to some of the best beaches in America. most expensive cannabis In the country for medical users and recreational ones. This industry is a huge money maker. More than $1 billion Since April 2022, sales have been launched.
The bill was not voted on by the committee, as it has not been introduced in the Assembly.
Scutari’s plan to tackle the Unlicensed THC Products That they claim undermines the regulated industries. Joe Lagana said, “I’ve seen questionable marijuana products at every gas station that I enter, in every convenience store or corner store.”
The Senate has also blamed the Attorney General’s Office for not upholding the laws of the State.
Mike Testa (R), a senator in the Senate, slammed Attorney General Matt Platkin’s (D) “absentee” leadership. Jon Bramnick of the Union Republican Party said it once You can find out more about this by clicking here. Laws aren’t enforcedThe community loses its respect for the government. Bramnick suggested that the committee call Platkin before it to discuss the matter and stated that ignoring law would be “disrespectful of this body.”
A spokesperson for Platkin has not responded to any requests for comments.
Scutari’s legislation was seen by marijuana advocates as a dangerous turn-around. Bill Caruso told the committee that members needed to speak You can also find out more about the following: Local mayors and police officers about their tools You can also use You can also find out more about the following: Fight against Unlicensed Cannabis Sales
He said: “I don’t believe we should go backwards and recriminalize consumers in particular.”
He agreed with the Attorney General that “the attorney general needs to explain to this elected body” why the laws weren’t followed. being enforced.
Larry Grant has survived cancer and uses cannabis for pain relief. He is also a member of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana. Grant described the bill as “deeply un-ethical” and a “complete reversal” of legalization’s original intent.
“People who suffer from cancer or chronic pain disabilities could be detained for merely obtaining an herb that aids them in their survival,” said he. “Recriminalization” is not regulation. It’s retaliation.”
Scutari says he is willing to make changes to the legislation, but that it’s necessary to establish the crime of buying and selling unlicensed marijuana. You need to order “Drive people to places where they can legally buy it.”
“We wouldn’t accept the corner liquor store without a license.” “We should not allow a corner shop to sell cannabis without a licence, or people who are selling it from their garage,” said he. We have legalized cannabis, for good reason. It is safe to consume.
New Jersey Monitor published this article first.
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