Signed by Governor Phil Murphy

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with amendments and pass a bill that specifies penalties for individuals under 21 possessing marijuana.

Highlights:

• Specifies that penalties for individuals younger than 21 that possess alcohol, marijuana, cannabis, or hashish are guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense and adults under the legal age are fined minimum $250 and are subject to an additional civil penalty $50 (Sec. 1).

• Exempts odor of marijuana, hashish, cannabis from reasonable articulable suspicion to initiate a search. (Pg. 5).

• Authorizes law enforcement officers to issue a warning for a first violation without notifying a parent or legal guardian (Pg. 6).

• Authorizes law enforcement officers to issue a warning to the minor and his or her parents for a second violation (Pg. 7).

• Authorizes law enforcement officers to issue a write-up for a third violation (Pg. 7).

• Exempts minors from a violation if they called 9-1-1 and reported another underage person was in need of medical assistance from use of cannabis, marijuana, hashish, or alcohol (Pg. 13).

Full Bill Text