Posts Tagged ‘Marijuana legalization’
NJ stops training police dogs to sniff out marijuana
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…
Read MoreDrug Recognition experts and NJ’s legal weed law DWI
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…
Read MoreExpungement process for Marijuana Convictions and pending charges under the proposed new law
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…
Read MoreMarijuana bills advance amid opponents’ doomsday rhetoric
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…
Read MoreMurphy, Sweeney, Coughlin reach deal on marijuana legalization
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,”…
Read MoreBill would allow legalized marijuana, but only if voters give their blessing
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…
Read MoreJersey City becomes first in state to decriminalize marijuana
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…
Read MoreJoint Committees hear testimony on bills to legalize recreational marijuana
Why the delay on legal weed? Murphy and Sweeney point fingers on final support
Submitted by New Jersey Drug Crime Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. It’s mid-October, and one of the priorities since January for Gov. Phil Murphy and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney — passing a law legalizing marijuana use for people 21 and older in New Jersey — is still the subject of painstaking private negotiations. This week, Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and…
Read MoreI’m among many N.J. police chiefs who believe legalizing weed will lead to more vehicle deaths
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…
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