Recently, New Jersey lawmakers deliberated a bill, sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari, that would criminalize the sale and purchase of unlicensed marijuana. Senator Scutari explained that the bill addresses unlicensed brick-and-mortar stores as well as drug dealers. Under the bill, operating an unlicensed marijuana business would be a third-degree crime and knowingly purchasing from one of these sellers would result in a disorderly persons offense. Proponents of the bill see it as corrective measure to the black market that has continued to operate after the legalizations of recreational cannabis in New Jersey.

Highlighted in the New Jersey Monitor article “N.J. Lawmakers Mull Whether to Recriminalize Some Cannabis Sales, Purchases,” Bill Caruso commented on the dangers of the proposed bill. Bill said, “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel here, and I don’t think we need to go backwards in recriminalizing particularly consumers.” This opinion was shared by many who believe the bill would bring back the criminalization of weed that New Jersey’s marijuana legalization ended.

Bill emphasized other voices who have criticized the New Jersey Attorney General’s lack of enforcement of the state’s cannabis laws. He urged committee members to speak to local mayors and law enforcement about what they need to fight against unlicensed cannabis sales.

Senator Scutari recognized the concerns about the bill and says that he’s open to changes. Although, he stresses the importance of regulation saying, “We would not accept the corner store that didn’t have a liquor license to sell liquor. We should not accept the corner store selling cannabis product without a license.”

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