Dylan Scott is a GOVERNING staff writer.
E-mail: dscott@governing.comTwitter: @dylanlscott
State News
New Jersey Bill Would Ease Marijuana Possession Penalties
New Jersey lawmakers moved toward decriminalizing marijuana possession Monday with a bill that would allow offenders to pay a fine rather than go to jail, NJ.com reports.
The bill was passed by the Assembly Judiciary Committee and now heads to the full Assembly, according to the news agency. It would impose a $150 fine for anyone arrested with 15 grams of marijuana or less. A second offense would cost $200; a third would earn a $500 fine.
"Some acts harm society and they warrant the intervention of police, prosecutors and perhaps even incarceration," State Rep. Michael Patrick Carroll, who sponsored the legislation, told NJ.com. "Other acts warrant at best, a spanking, and this seems to be one of these situations."
New Jersey would become the 15th state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, according to the news agency. Connecticut was the most recent state to approve such a policy, according to CBS News. The state legislature passed a bill last June, and Gov. Dannel Malloy signed it into law.
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe for updates.
- Most Viewed
- Comments
-
- U.S. AG Holder, Gov. Brownback Spar over Kansas' New Gun Law
"RE: your response to me - I understand your confusion. Our tendency to devalue historical..." - Felons' Voting Rights Could Impact 2012 Election
"well that exulated quickly......" - Motorcycle Deaths Rise as States Rethink Helmet Laws
"How many more lives would be saved if automobile riders would wear helmets. We are talking..." - Colorado Becomes 14th State to Offer Undocumented Immigrants In-State Tuition
"Finally, while I do agree with you that people who cheat the system should not be given..." - Supreme Court to Reexamine Church-State Separation at Government Meetings
"There is everything in the constituation that says laws may not be written such that your..."
- U.S. AG Holder, Gov. Brownback Spar over Kansas' New Gun Law
Training Opportunities
Health Care Reform After the Decision- In this Mercer Report, you’ll learn how different organizations plan to tackle the new requirements of ACA and discover where most employer concerns are focused, who expects to be hardest hit, and how different health plans and Medicaid may impact overall costs.
- Crime Prediction and Prevention
- Accelerating Economic Growth and Vitality
GOVERNING Data
- U.S. City Population Map: 1990-2012
- View an interactive map with updated figures for cities with populations exceeding 50,000.
- Average Hospital Cost By State
- Youth Unemployment Rate, Figures by State
- U.S. County Population Change Map: 2010-2012
- International Migration: U.S. Cities and Metro Area Populations
- Same Sex Marriage Map: State Laws
Events & Webinars
- GOV - Leadership Forum: Georgia - 2013
- May 29, 2013
- The Countdown to Affordable Health Insurance: Time is Running Out!
- June 18, 2013
- Is your state ready for Marketplace open enrollment in October 2013? In a few short months, millions of uninsured Americans will qualify for affordable healthcare coverage either through Medicaid, CHIP or tax subsidies.
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
Flickr
RSS
© 2011 e.Republic, Inc. All Rights reserved. |