TRENTON — New Jersey has halted training state police dogs to sniff out pot. Submitted by New Jersey Drug Crime Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Attorney General Gurbir Grewal told lawmakers Wednesday that a pending proposal to legalize recreational marijuana led police to stop training them to detect the odor of burnt cannabis. He says dogs already…
Submitted by New Jersey Drug Crime Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. At the Senate hearing Monday night, Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex) expressed concern that the cost for such training and employment of extra officers would fall on municipalities. The bill would reimburse local costs to train Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) to work in communities and would also…
Submitted by New Jersey Drug Crime Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. The new legislation along with an accompanying bill seeks to remedy that by: Dismissing all pending marijuana charges and convictions for amounts up to five pounds; Returning the right to vote to those who are on parole or probation as the result of a conviction for…
Submitted by New Jersey Drug Crime Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. TRENTON — After six hours of delays and hand-wringing, committees in both houses of the state Legislature on Monday advanced bills to legalize recreational cannabis and clear the records of those with marijuana-related convictions, setting up possible floor votes for next week. Legislative staff were still…
Submitted by New Jersey Drug Crime Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Gov. Phil Murphy and legislative leaders have reached a broad agreement on a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in New Jersey, according to four sources familiar with the negotiations. “The consensus on the broad strokes is relatively fresh, so the details are still being worked out,”…
Submitted by New Jersey Drug Crime Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. A bipartisan bill introduced this week would allow for possession of small amounts of marijuana — but only if voters approve a referendum on legalization. Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi (R-Bergen) proposed the bill, NJ A5138, which would ask voters whether they want to legalize recreational marijuana and…
Submitted by New Jersey Drug Crime Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Jake Hudnut is the new municipal prosecutor in Jersey City. He and the man who appointed him, Mayor Steve Fulop, have decided to get out in front of the marijuana debate. Effective Thursday, they are decriminalizing it, allowing possession of small amounts and discreet use. “We…
Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer Jeffrey Hark. By John J. Zebrowski As a police chief of central New Jersey community who has seen his fair share of traffic accidents, I want to make clear it is imperative we do not underestimate the adverse impact legalizing recreational marijuana will have on traffic safety within our…
Submitted by New Jersey Drug Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. By Payton Guion | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com EDITOR’S NOTE: On Oct. 3, industry insiders from New Jersey and beyond will gather for a full day of programming and networking at NJ Cannabis Insider Live! If you’re serious about the industry and where things are heading with the pending…
- « Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- Next »
Legal Developments
That Affect You
-
New Jersey Survivors Justice Act: Sentencing Reform for Abuse Victims
Submitted by New Jersey Criminal Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark In January 2026, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law a pair of bills known as the Survivors Justice Act (S-4870/A-5968 and S-4871/A-5969). This landmark legislation, championed by Senator Angela V. McKnight, Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, and other lawmakers, amends the state’s criminal code to allow courts…