Politics & Government

Assemblywoman: Decriminalizing Marijuana Sends the Wrong Message

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Republican Monmouth County Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini thinks the debate to decriminalize marijuana should land on the side of current law.

A bill introduced by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer) in May and passed by the Assembly on Monday, calls for the decriminalization of the possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana, imposes civil penalties and establishes a fund for drug education.

The bill takes possession of marijuana, 15 grams or less, from a criminal offense to an offense carrying a civil fine. The bill states that there would be a $150 fine for a first violation, a $200 fine for a second violation, and a $500 fine for a third or subsequent violation, except in cases of "extreme financial hardship."

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Bill A-1465 also states that "a person who possesses drug paraphernalia for the personal use of 15 grams or less of marijuana would not be guilty of a criminal violation but instead would be subject to a $100 civil penalty."

Angelini said in a news release that decriminalizing marijuana would send the wrong message to children in New Jersey.

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“When Governor Corzine and this Legislature approved a medical marijuana law in 2010, I said it was the first step toward legalizing marijuana. I did not know the next leap would happen this quickly," Angelini said.

Monmouth County Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande are on board with the bill, as co-sponsors.

But Angelini said it is a step in the wrong direction. 

“Two years ago, the message to children was that marijuana, the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States, can be medicine for some. Today, the Assembly expanded upon that message, saying it’s OK to smoke it," she said.

Angelini runs Prevention First in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, an anti-drug education program.

A separate bill, introduced to the Senate by Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Middlesex, Somerset, Union) just days after the Assembly bill in May, calls for the decriminilization of the possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana. No amendments or floor discussions have been publicized for that bill yet.


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