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New Jersey Governor Reverses Opinion on Minors and Cannabis

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It took officials in New Jersey a while to agree on the terms of recreational cannabis legalization, and one of the main issues of debate included how minors who use cannabis should be treated. Now, it seems that Governor Phil Murphy might be changing his mind on that point.

Republican Assemblyman and Minority Leader Job Bramnick initially pressured Murphy to change the part of the new law that prohibits police from talking to parents about juveniles who use cannabis or alcohol. “Handcuffing law enforcement from notifying parents if they find a child using drugs or alcohol is irresponsible and dangerous,” Bramnick said. “Parents should know if their children break the law. Leaving parents out of the equation has nothing to do with social justice.”

This week, Murphy made an official statement that he now supports that legislation, and wants to make sure that police officers are able to communicate with parents of children who use cannabis. “I personally think that’s a step in the right direction. We will see where that goes. As a conceptual matter, I’ll put it that way, I support that direction,” Murphy said.

While Murphy has also indicated that the bill will have to make it through the New Jersey Legislature just like any other bill, the implication is that he will sign it once it reaches his desk.This bill is important to many who feel that the connection between children and parents should still be transparent when it comes to cannabis use. “Police shouldn’t be prohibited from telling parents that their child was caught engaging in illegal or dangerous activity with drugs or alcohol,” Senator Tony Bucco said regarding the proposed amendment. “Thankfully, it appears that both Republicans and Democrats in both houses of the Legislature want to fix this outrageous provision of our law. Governor Murphy apparently is supportive of this fix as well. Given that broad support, there’s no reason to delay action on moving this important legislation forward.”

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