TRENTON – Less than a week after New Jerseyans overwhelmingly voted to legalize weed, an enabling bill to stop marijuana arrests is on its way to becoming law.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday advanced a bill that would decriminalize possession of up to six ounces of marijuana, lower the sentences on distribution charges and automatically expunge certain marijuana offenses.
Pending charges would also be dismissed under the bill.
“Today, New Jersey has the opportunity to address its history of racial and social injustices in its prohibition and enforcement of marijuana,” said Sen. Teresa Ruiz, D-Hudson, one of the bill sponsors.
She called the bill an “earnest effort to right our wrongs, centered on racial and social justice.”
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If passed, Ruiz’s bill wouldn’t levy any charges or fines on someone holding up to six ounces of marijuana. Under current law, possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana is a fourth-degree crime…