Robert A. Marsico
Partner
201-896-7165 rmarsico@sh-law.comKey Contacts
Back
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) has introduced Senate Bill 1896 for consideration by the New Jersey Senate. The proposed legislation would legalize possession, cultivation and the sale of small amounts of marijuana. He believes that it is time for New Jersey to stop prosecuting and start regulating and taxing minor marijuana use. However, the bill has a long road ahead, especially in light of the governor’s promises to veto it.
Scutari is the municipal prosecutor for the city of Linden. He reports that the fight to eradicate marijuana use has been wholly unsuccessful, yet billions of dollars have been spent on enforcement measures. He also indicated that it is unreasonable for citizens having criminal records resulting from minor marijuana offenses to be unable to buy a home or obtain employment.
If it is successful, the proposed bill would permit adults 21 years of age and over to possess an ounce or less of marijuana. It would also allow them to cultivate up to six marijuana plants for personal use (and not for sale) in an enclosed, locked space.
The sale of marijuana would be regulated in a way similar to the manner in which the state regulates liquor sales. The proposal also provides that local governments could be permitted to ban the sale of marijuana within their borders.
If the sale of marijuana is allowed, it would be subject to state sales tax, resulting in millions of dollars of the tax revenue per year for New Jersey. Scutari’s bill would dedicate 70% of those tax revenues to the Transportation Trust Fund, 20% to drug education and enforcement programs and the remainder to women’s health programs.
Governor Chris Christie has repeatedly promised to veto any bill proposing to legalize marijuana, so only time will tell how the issue will be decided in New Jersey.
If you have any questions about this proposed bill or would like to discuss any issues your business is facing, please contact me, or the Scarinci Hollenbeck attorney with whom you work.
- Industries: Cannabis
- Practices: Corporate Transactions & Business
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, New York City, Little Falls, NJ
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
What Business Owners Get Wrong Before Meeting a Litigation Attorney
What should you expect when meeting a litigation attorney about a business dispute? You should expect to describe the dispute in your own words, hand over the most important documents, flag any deadlines or immediate threats, and leave with a clearer picture of the problem, what information is still needed, and the likely next steps. […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
Arbitration vs. Litigation vs. Mediation: What New Jersey Businesses Should Know Before Signing a Contract
Arbitration resolves disputes privately before an arbitrator whose decision is usually final, while litigation resolves them in court with full rights of appeal. Whether a business ends up in arbitration or litigation is often decided when it signs the contract, long before any dispute arises. Key Takeaways When facing a contract dispute, carefully consider your […]
Author: Graham Staton
Can You Own Part of a New Jersey Business Without a Written Agreement?
Can you own part of a business in New Jersey without a written agreement? Yes, it is possible. Under New Jersey’s Uniform Partnership Act, a partnership can arise when two or more people carry on a business as co-owners for profit, whether or not they ever intended to form one. Ownership doesn’t necessarily depend on […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
Crisis-Proofing Your New Jersey Business: Building a Crisis Response Plan Before You Need One
For New Jersey businesses, crisis preparedness should be viewed as a legal and operational function, not simply an emergency-management exercise. A well-designed crisis response plan can help preserve evidence, protect confidential communications, meet reporting obligations, limit unnecessary exposure, and prevent an already difficult situation from becoming a larger legal problem. Key Takeaways A serious crisis […]
Author: Sean M. Pena
Monmouth County's Next Development Wave: What Developers and Investors Need to Know
Monmouth County is entering a significant new phase of development. For those looking to acquire property or undertake a new project, understanding the market opportunity is only the beginning. The more important question is whether a particular property can actually be developed as contemplated and what approvals, agreements, and other conditions will be required to […]
Author: Donald M. Pepe
Are Your Conversations with AI Shielded from Discovery? Courts Are Split
Whether a client’s prompts to a generative AI tool and the documents it produces are protected from disclosure depends on the case type, who claims protection, and whether counsel was involved. In United States v. Heppner, a New York federal judge ruled that a criminal defendant’s communications with an AI platform were protected by neither […]
Author: Chris Seelinger
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.