New Jersey may be legalizing recreational cannabis

As December is nearing, the New Jersey State Legislature may be ready for a vote on a bill that would allow recreational cannabis use by adults. The bill, called the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory and Expungement Aid Modernization Act, stipulates how the product would be managed in the state, including label requirements and necessary warning labels.

Here’s an overview of what passing of the bill would mean for recreational cannabis use.

What does the bill cover?
Many details about the sale of cannabis are outlined in the comprehensive bill, NJ Spotlight reports. These details include how it would be taxed and what the tax revenue would be used for, retail and distribution requirements, and license requirements and eligibility to sell. The role of law enforcement is also covered in the bill.

According to NJ.com, the bill would legalize possession and personal use of a maximum of one ounce of cannabis, and the minimum age for this use would be 21.

What are the packaging, labeling, and marketing requirements?
Some state residents worry that cannabis would be too accessible to children if the bill passes. These fears are addressed somewhat with strict packaging and advertising restrictions.

For example, these products cannot be marketed to underage individuals, and the packaging cannot include false statements that may lead to overuse of the products. Ads and packages cannot depict underage kids consuming cannabis. The legislation even restricts cartoons or toys from being used in these campaigns.

Stricter guidelines for advertising include restricting cannabis ads on TV or radio during popular times when the audience may be under 21 years of age. Advertising is also restricted within 200 feet of elementary or secondary schools.

The containers themselves must be child-proof, and each one must include warning labels. These labels include the amount of THC the product has, the serving size, weight, strain, and whether it is organic or not. Pesticides must be disclosed as well.

The standardized serving size under the bill is no more than 10 milligrams of active THC, and no more than 100 milligrams of active THC for edible products.

What would the expungements consist of?
Because the new legislation legalizes this usage of cannabis, convictions would have to be expunged that no longer apply. The Administrative Office of the Courts will be required to expedite expungements for low-level crimes within six months of the enactment of the bill. These expungements would be free of charge for those previously convicted.

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