New Jersey Statutes 24:6I-32. Findings, declarations relative to the regulation and use of cannabis
Terms Used In New Jersey Statutes 24:6I-32
- Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
- person: includes corporations, companies, associations, societies, firms, partnerships and joint stock companies as well as individuals, unless restricted by the context to an individual as distinguished from a corporate entity or specifically restricted to one or some of the above enumerated synonyms and, when used to designate the owner of property which may be the subject of an offense, includes this State, the United States, any other State of the United States as defined infra and any foreign country or government lawfully owning or possessing property within this State. See New Jersey Statutes 1:1-2
a. It is the intent of the people of New Jersey to adopt a new approach to our marijuana policies by controlling and legalizing a form of marijuana, to be referred to as cannabis, in a similar fashion to the regulation of alcohol for adults;
b. It is the intent of the people of New Jersey that the provisions of this act will prevent the sale or distribution of cannabis to persons under 21 years of age;
c. This act is designed to eliminate the problems caused by the unregulated manufacturing, distribution, and use of illegal marijuana within New Jersey;
d. This act will divert funds from marijuana sales from going to illegal enterprises, gangs, and cartels;
e. Black New Jerseyans are nearly three times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white New Jerseyans, despite similar usage rates;
f. New Jersey spends approximately $127 million per year on marijuana possession enforcement costs;
g. Controlling and legalizing cannabis for adults in a similar fashion to alcohol will free up precious resources to allow our criminal justice system to focus on serious criminal activities and public safety issues;
h. Controlling and legalizing cannabis for adults in a similar fashion to alcohol will strike a blow at the illegal enterprises that profit from New Jersey’s current, unregulated illegal marijuana market;
i. New Jersey must strengthen its support for evidence-based, drug use prevention programs that work to educate New Jerseyans, particularly young New Jerseyans, about the harms of substance use disorder;
j. New Jersey must enhance State-supported programming that provides appropriate, evidence-based treatment for those who suffer from the illness of substance use disorder;
k. Controlling and regulating the manufacturing, distribution, and sales of cannabis will strengthen our ability to keep it along with illegal marijuana away from minors;
l. A controlled system of cannabis manufacturing, distribution, and sales must be designed in a way that enhances public health and minimizes harm to New Jersey communities and families;
m. The legalized cannabis marketplace in New Jersey must be regulated so as to prevent persons younger than 21 years of age from accessing or purchasing cannabis;
n. A marijuana arrest in New Jersey can have a debilitating impact on a person‘s future, including consequences for one’s job prospects, housing access, financial health, familial integrity, immigration status, and educational opportunities; and
o. New Jersey cannot afford to sacrifice public safety and individuals’ civil rights by continuing its ineffective and wasteful past marijuana enforcement policies.
L.2021, c.16, s.2; amended 2023, c.177, s.54.