Potimus Prime

In a newsletter this week, the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) and the New Jersey chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML-NJ) announced the formation of a new coalition to garner support for the decriminalization of marijuana in the Garden State: Sensible New Jersey.

Bill A4252, sponsored by Assemblymen Reed Gusciora (D) and Michael Patrick Carroll (R), would stand to remove criminal penalties for adults found to be in possession of less than fifteen grams of marijuana. Reed Gusciora stated that a large majority of cannabis possession charges were for amounts under fifteen grams, and highlighted the fact that it is a huge drain on New Jersey’s already resource-taxed police force and court systems. In addition to a criminal record, adults found guilty of possession under the current law face possible loss of driving privileges for up to two years.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) has joined the efforts in New Jersey; Jack Cole, a 26-year veteran of the New Jersey State Police and also board chairman for LEAP, was quoted as saying, “As a former undercover narcotics detective in New Jersey, I now know that all the time and resources I spent arresting people for marijuana offenses over the course of my career didn’t accomplish anything good. In addition to being a waste of money that should have been spent solving and preventing violent crimes, these arrests in many cases ruined otherwise productive people’s lives. The marijuana decriminalization bill is a great first step to undoing some of the damage wrought by the failed ‘war on drugs.’”

If and when the New Jersey decriminalization bill passes, it will become the fifteenth state to declare safe harbor for adults in possession of minute amounts of marijuana.

“We are ready to begin this conversation in the legislature and will continue to lay the foundation for this groundbreaking effort. This is about cutting costs and ending the failed practice of criminalizing otherwise productive members of society for possessing a substance that is less dangerous than alcohol,” stated Victor Pinho, a Sensible New Jersey coordinator and NJ Chapter Coordinator for SSDP.

Well, another bits the dust, so to speak. Delaware is finally a compassionate state, with more to follow suit in New England soon, I’m sure. In a two hour debate, the decision was made to allow possession and purchase from a dispensary, but not to allow for home cultivation.

Under Senate Bill 17, individuals with qualifying illnesses would be issued an identification card and be limited to purchasing up to six ounces of marijuana each month. Marijuana could only be purchased from a dispensary and home cultivation would be prohibited.

Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, the bill sponsor, had another amendment added that would protect doctors who refuse to recommend marijuana use from being sued by their patients.

SB 17′s future still remains undecided, as it now heads to the House to be weighed.

Source: Delaware Online