Key Votes
A 1465 - Reduces Penalties for Marijuana - Key Vote
New Jersey Key Votes
Stages
Family
Issues
Stage Details
Legislation - Referred to Committee (Senate) - June 28, 2012
Legislation - Bill Passed (House) (44-31) - June 25, 2012 (Key vote)
Title: Reduces Penalties for Marijuana
Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that decreases criminal penalties for possessing 15 grams or less of marijuana.
Highlights:
- Classifies the possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana as a civil offense, whereas current law classifies it as a criminal offense (Sec. 5).
- Requires that the possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana result in the following civil penalties (Sec. 5):
- $150 fine, for the first violation;
- $200 fine, for the second violation; and
- $500 fine, for the third and subsequent offenses.
- Requires that the possession of drug paraphernalia for use of 15 grams or less of marijuana result in a civil penalty of $100 (Sec. 6).
- Establishes the Drug Education Program Fund in the Department of the Treasury (Sec. 7).
- Appropriates money from the Drug Education Program Fund to the Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services for drug education programs (Sec. 7).
- Requires $50 from each penalty imposed for possession of marijuana or drug paraphernalia to be deposited in the Drug Education Program Fund (Secs. 5 & 6).
- Specifies that an individual who commits a third or subsequent offense may be required to participate in a drug education program approved by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services (Sec. 5).
Legislation - Introduced (House) - Jan. 10, 2012
Title: Reduces Penalties for Marijuana
Sponsors
- Peter J. Barnes III (NJ - D)
- Michael Patrick Carroll (NJ - R)
- Reed Gusciora (NJ - D)
- Gordon M. Johnson (NJ - D)
- L. Grace Spencer (NJ - D)
- Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ - D)
Co-sponsors
- Ralph R. Caputo (NJ - D)
- Caroline C. Casagrande (NJ - R)
- Craig Coughlin (NJ - D)
- Alberto Coutinho (NJ - D)
- Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. (NJ - D)
- Timothy J. Eustace (NJ - D)
- Mila M. Jasey (NJ - D)
- Pamela R. 'Pam' Lampitt (NJ - D)
- Declan Joseph O'Scanlon Jr. (NJ - R)
- Annette Quijano (NJ - D)
- Ruben J. Ramos Jr. (NJ - D)
- Linda D. Stender (NJ - D)
- Shavonda E. Sumter (NJ - D)
- Cleopatra G. Tucker (NJ - D)
- Valerie Vainieri Huttle (NJ - D)
