Signed by Governor Phil Murphy

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that reduces the criminal penalty for marijuana possession from an arrest to a $50 fine.

Highlights:

• Specifies that any person found manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or possessing more than 25 pounds of marijuana, 50 or more marijuana plants, or 5 or more pounds of hashish is guilty of a crime and possible a $300,000 fine (Sec 1).

• Specifies that any person found manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or possessing between 1 and 5 pounds of marijuana, or between 0.5 pound and 1 pound of hashish is guilty of a crime in the third degree and a possible $25,000 fine (Sec 1).

• Specifies that any person found manufacturing, distributing,  dispensing, or possessing between 2 ounces and 1 pound of marijuana, or between 5 grams and 0.5 pound of hashish is guilty of a disorderly persons offense for a first offense, and guilty of a crime of the fourth degree for a second or subsequent offense (Sec 1).

• Specifies that any person found manufacturing, distributing,  dispensing, or possessing less than 2 ounces of marijuana, or less than 5 grams of hashish is subject to a criminal penalty of $50 (Sec 1).

• Specifies that possession of 2 ounces or less of marijuana or 5 grams or less of hashish is subject to a civil penalty of $50 if the state establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the substance possessed was not for medicinal purposes (Sec 1).

• Prohibits a government record from including (Sec 10):

• A portion of any criminal record concerning a person’s detection, apprehension, arrest, detention trial, or disposition for unlawful distribution or possession of between 2 ounces and 5 pounds of marijuana; or

• A portion of any criminal record concerning a person’s detection, apprehension, arrest, detention trial, or disposition for unlawful distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of any school property or 500 feet of property consisting of a housing facility, or public building.

• Prohibits an employer from requiring an applicant to disclose, reveal, or take any adverse reaction against the person relating to marijuana and hashish charges (Sec 7).

• Prohibits the state from discriminating against a person applying for a mortgage loan based on any charges relating to marijuana- and hashish-related offenses (Sec 8).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that reduces the criminal penalty for marijuana possession from an arrest to a $50 fine.

Highlights:

• Specifies that any person found manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing more than 25 pounds of marijuana, including adulterants and dilutants, 50 or more marijuana plants, or 5 or more pounds of hashish is guilty of a first-degree crime and possible a $300,000 fine (Sec 1).

• Specifies that any person found manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or possessing between 1 and 5 pounds of marijuana, including any adulterants or dilutants, or between 0.5 and 1 pound of hashish including is guilty of a third-degree crime and a possible $25,000 fine (Sec 1).

• Specifies that any person found manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or possessing between 2 ounces and 1 pound of marijuana, including any adulterants or dilutants, or between 5 grams and 0.5 pounds of hashish is guilty of a disorderly persons offense for the first offense and is guilty of a fourth-degree crime for any subsequent offenses (Sec 1).

• Specifies that any person found manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or possessing less than 2 ounces of non-medical marijuana or less than 5 grams of hashish is subject to a civil penalty of $50 (Sec 1).

• Specifies that any person found in possession of more than 2 ounces of marijuana, including any adulterants or dilutants, or more than 5 grams of hashish is guilty of a fourth-degree crime a possible $25,000 fine (Sec 1).

• Prohibits a government record from including (Sec 10):

• A portion of any criminal record concerning a person’s detection, apprehension, arrest, detention trial, or disposition for unlawful distribution or possession of between 2 ounces and 5 pounds of marijuana; or

• A portion of any criminal record concerning a person’s detection, apprehension, arrest, detention trial, or disposition for unlawful distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of any school property or 500 feet of property comprising of a housing facility, or public building.

Full Bill Text