Bill Text: NJ A3251 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Clarifies that unlawful gifting of marijuana or cannabis is prohibited under "New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee [A3251 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-A3251-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman AURA K. DUNN
District 25 (Morris and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Clarifies that unlawful gifting of marijuana or cannabis is prohibited under "New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning marijuana and amending P.L.2021, c.16 and N.J.S.2C:35-5.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 46 of P.L.2021, c.16 (C.2C:35-10a) is amended to read as follows:
46. Personal Use of Cannabis Items.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following acts are not unlawful and shall not be an offense or a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under N.J.S.2C:64-1 et seq. or other applicable law for persons 21 years of age or older, provided the acts are consistent with the relevant definitions set forth in section 3 of P.L.2021, c.16 (C.24:6I-33), and when an act involves a cannabis item, it was first obtained directly from a licensed cannabis retailer or delivered by a licensed cannabis delivery service making delivery of a purchase order fulfilled by that licensed cannabis retailer for off-premises delivery, evidenced by it being in its original packaging or by a sales slip, invoice, receipt, or other statement or memorandum:
a. Possessing, displaying, purchasing, or transporting: cannabis paraphernalia; one ounce (28.35 grams) or less of useable cannabis; the equivalent of one ounce (28.35 grams) or less of usable cannabis as a cannabis product in solid, liquid, or concentrate form, based upon an equivalency calculation for different product forms set by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, established pursuant to section 31 of P.L.2019, c.153 (C.24:6I-24), in its regulations, and for which the commission may utilize research conducted in other states on the issue of product equivalency calculations when setting this equivalency; or 5 grams (0.176 ounce) or less of cannabis resin. Possessing, displaying, purchasing, or transporting at any one time any amount of any cannabis items described herein in an amount greater than as permitted pursuant to this subsection shall be considered a violation of the "Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 1987," P.L.1987, c.106 (N.J.S.2C:35-1 et al.), and subject the person to prosecution as if the person possessed, displayed, purchased, or transported marijuana or hashish in violation of that act;
b. Transferring without remuneration: one ounce (28.35 grams) or less of usable cannabis; the equivalent of one ounce (28.35 grams) or less of usable cannabis as a cannabis product in solid, liquid, or concentrate form, based upon the equivalency calculation for different product forms set by the commission pursuant to subsection a. of this section; or five grams (0.176 ounce) or less of cannabis resin to a person who is of legal age for purchasing cannabis items, provided that such transfer is for non-promotional, non-business purposes. Transferring at any one time any amount of any cannabis items described herein in an amount greater than as permitted pursuant to this subsection, "gifting," or transferring for promotional or business purposes as a gift, when in fact it is a central part of the sales transaction shall be considered a violation of the "Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 1987," P.L.1987, c.106 (N.J.S.2C:35-1 et al.), and subject the person to prosecution as if the person distributed marijuana or hashish in violation of that act. As used in this subsection "gifting" or "gift" means transferring cannabis for promotional or business purposes occurring outside of a cannabis sales transaction in a Class 5 retail license facility.
Transferring to a person who is not of legal age that was done by a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service licensed pursuant to P.L.2021, c.16 (C.24:6I-31 et al.), or an employee or agent thereof, or by any other person, is subject to a civil penalty or other legal consequences as set forth in subsection b. of section 64 of P.L.2021, c.16 (C.2C:35-10d) or section 6 of P.L.2021, c.25 (C.2A:170-51.11), as applicable, and a fine as set forth in section 3 of P.L.1999, c.90 (C.2C:33-13.1);
c. Taking delivery of or consuming a lawfully possessed cannabis item, provided that nothing in this section shall permit a person to smoke, vape, or aerosolize any cannabis item in a public place. This prohibition includes the smoking, vaping, or aerosolizing of a cannabis item in any public place pursuant to law that prohibits the smoking of tobacco, including N.J.S.2C:33-13 and the "New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act," P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-55 et seq.), and any indoor public place, as that term is defined in section 3 of P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-57), or portion thereof, even if the smoking of tobacco is otherwise permitted in that place or portion thereof pursuant to the "New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act"; except that the smoking, vaping, or aerosolizing of a cannabis item shall be permitted in a cannabis consumption area as set forth in section 28 of P.L.2019, c.153 (C.24:6I-21), and may be permitted by the person or entity that owns or controls a hotel, motel, or other lodging establishment as defined in section 1 of P.L.1967, c.95 (C.29:4-5) in up to 20 percent of its guest rooms. The smoking, vaping, or aerosolizing of a cannabis item may also be prohibited or otherwise regulated in multifamily housing that is a multiple dwelling as defined in section 3 of P.L.1967, c.76 (C.55:13A-3), as decided by the person or entity that owns or controls the multifamily housing, or prohibited or otherwise regulated in the structure or specific units of the structure of a cooperative as defined in section 3 of P.L.1987, c.381 (C.46:8D-3) by the corporation or other legal entity that owns the structure, or prohibited or otherwise regulated in the units of a condominium, as those terms are defined by section 3 of P.L.1969, c.257 (C.46:8B-3), if approved by the association for the condominium and a majority of all of the condominium's unit owners, as those terms are defined in that section. Except as otherwise provided by P.L.2021, c.16 (C.24:6I-31 et al.), any penalties that may be assessed for the smoking of tobacco where prohibited under the "New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act" shall be applicable to the smoking, vaping, or aerosolizing of cannabis items where prohibited. Concerning the consumption of any cannabis item, other than by smoking, vaping, or aerosolizing: a person or entity that owns or controls a property, other than multifamily housing that is a multiple dwelling as defined in section 3 of P.L.1967, c.76 (C.55:13A-3), the structure or specific units of the structure of a cooperative as defined in section 3 of P.L.1987, c.381 (C.46:8D-3), a unit of a condominium, as those terms are defined by section 3 of P.L.1969, c.257 (C.46:8B-3), or a site in a mobile home park as defined in section 3 of P.L.1983, c.386 (C.40:55D-102), which site is leased to the owner of a manufactured home, as defined in that section, that is installed thereon, may prohibit or otherwise regulate the consumption of cannabis items on or in that property, including a casino hotel facility as defined in section 19 of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-19) with respect to a hotel property, a casino as defined in section 6 of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-6), or casino simulcasting facility authorized pursuant to the "Casino Simulcasting Act," P.L.1992, c.19 (C.5:12-191 et al.); and
d. Assisting another person to engage in any of the acts described in subsections a. through c. of this section, provided that the person being assisted is of legal age to purchase cannabis items and the assistance being provided is without remuneration.
(cf: P.L.2021, c.25, s.11)
2. N.J.S.2C:35-5 is amended to read as follows:
2C:35-5. Manufacturing, Distributing or Dispensing. a. Except as authorized by P.L.1970, c.226 (C.24:21-1 et seq.), it shall be unlawful for any person knowingly or purposely:
(1) To manufacture, distribute or dispense, or to possess or have under his control with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense, a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog; or
(2) To create, distribute, or possess or have under his control with intent to distribute, a counterfeit controlled dangerous substance.
b. Any person who violates subsection a. with respect to:
(1) Heroin, or its analog, or coca leaves and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of coca leaves, and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation thereof which is chemically equivalent or identical with any of these substances, or analogs, except that the substances shall not include decocainized coca leaves or extractions which do not contain cocaine or ecogine, or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, in a quantity of five ounces or more including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the first degree. The defendant shall, except as provided in N.J.S.2C:35-12, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment by the court. The term of imprisonment shall include the imposition of a minimum term which shall be fixed at, or between, one-third and one-half of the sentence imposed, during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $500,000 may be imposed;
(2) A substance referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection, in a quantity of one-half ounce or more but less than five ounces, including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the second degree;
(3) A substance referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection in a quantity less than one-half ounce including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the third degree except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $75,000 may be imposed;
(4) A substance classified as a narcotic drug in Schedule I or II other than those specifically covered in this section, or the analog of any such substance, in a quantity of one ounce or more including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the second degree;
(5) A substance classified as a narcotic drug in Schedule I or II other than those specifically covered in this section, or the analog of any such substance, in a quantity of less than one ounce including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the third degree except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $75,000 may be imposed;
(6) Lysergic acid diethylamide, or its analog, in a quantity of 100 milligrams or more including any adulterants or dilutants, or phencyclidine, or its analog, in a quantity of 10 grams or more including any adulterants or dilutants, is guilty of a crime of the first degree. Except as provided in N.J.S.2C:35-12, the court shall impose a term of imprisonment which shall include the imposition of a minimum term, fixed at, or between, one-third and one-half of the sentence imposed by the court, during which the defendant shall be ineligible for parole. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $500,000 may be imposed;
(7) Lysergic acid diethylamide, or its analog, in a quantity of less than 100 milligrams including any adulterants or dilutants, or where the amount is undetermined, or phencyclidine, or its analog, in a quantity of less than 10 grams including any adulterants or dilutants, or where the amount is undetermined, is guilty of a crime of the second degree;
(8) Methamphetamine, or its analog, or phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), in a quantity of five ounces or more including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the first degree. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $300,000 may be imposed;
(9) (a) Methamphetamine, or its analog, or phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), in a quantity of one-half ounce or more but less than five ounces including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the second degree;
(b) Methamphetamine, or its analog, or phenyl-2-propanone (P2P), in a quantity of less than one-half ounce including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the third degree except that notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $75,000 may be imposed;
(10) (a) Marijuana in a quantity of 25 pounds or more including any adulterants or dilutants, or 50 or more marijuana plants, regardless of weight, or hashish in a quantity of five pounds or more including any adulterants or dilutants, is guilty of a crime of the first degree. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $300,000 may be imposed;
(b) Marijuana in a quantity of five pounds or more but less than 25 pounds including any adulterants or dilutants, or 10 or more but fewer than 50 marijuana plants, regardless of weight, or hashish in a quantity of one pound or more but less than five pounds, including any adulterants and dilutants, is guilty of a crime of the second degree;
(11) (a) Prior to the effective date of P.L.2021, c.19 (C.2C:35-23.1 et al.), marijuana in a quantity of one ounce or more but less than five pounds including any adulterants or dilutants, or hashish in a quantity of five grams or more but less than one pound including any adulterants or dilutants, is guilty of a crime of the third degree except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $25,000 may be imposed;
(b) On and after the effective date of P.L.2021, c.19 (C.2C:35-23.1 et al.), marijuana in a quantity of more than one ounce but less than five pounds including any adulterants or dilutants, or hashish in a quantity of more than five grams but less than one pound including any adulterants or dilutants, is guilty of a crime of the third degree except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $25,000 may be imposed;
(12) (a) Prior to the effective date of P.L.2021, c.19 (C.2C:35-23.1 et al.), marijuana in a quantity of less than one ounce including any adulterants or dilutants, or hashish in a quantity of less than five grams including any adulterants or dilutants, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree;
(b) On and after the effective date of P.L.2021, c.19 (C.2C:35-23.1 et al.), marijuana in a quantity of one ounce or less including any adulterants or dilutants, or hashish in a quantity of five grams or less including any adulterants or dilutants, is, for a first offense, subject to a written warning, which also indicates that any subsequent violation is a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment, a fine, or both, and for a second or subsequent offense, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree;
(i) The odor of marijuana or hashish, or burnt marijuana or hashish, shall not constitute reasonable articulable suspicion to initiate a search of a person to determine a violation of subparagraph (b) of paragraph (12) of this subsection. A person who violates this subparagraph shall not be subject to arrest, detention, or otherwise be taken into custody, unless the person is being arrested, detained, or otherwise taken into custody for also committing another violation of law for which that action is legally permitted or required;
(ii) A person shall not be deprived of any legal or civil right, privilege, benefit, or opportunity provided pursuant to any law solely by reason of committing a violation of subparagraph (b) of paragraph (12) of this subsection, nor shall committing one or more violations modify any legal or civil right, privilege, benefit, or opportunity provided pursuant to any law, including, but not limited to, the granting, renewal, forfeiture, or denial of a license, permit, or certification, qualification for and the receipt, alteration, continuation, or denial of any form of financial assistance, housing assistance, or other social services, rights of or custody by a biological parent, or adoptive or foster parent, or other legal guardian of a child or newborn infant, or pregnant woman, in any action or proceeding by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families, or qualification, approval, or disapproval to serve as a foster parent or other legal guardian;
(iii) All local and county law enforcement authorities shall, following the submission process used for the uniform crime reporting system established by P.L.1966, c.37 (C.52:17B-5.1 et seq.), submit a quarterly report to the Uniform Crime Reporting Unit, within the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety, or to another designated recipient determined by the Attorney General, containing the number of violations of subparagraph (b) of paragraph (12) of this subsection committed within their respective jurisdictions, plus the race, ethnicity, gender, and age of each person committing a violation, and the disposition of each person's violation. These violations and associated information, along with a quarterly summary of violations investigated, and associated information collected, by the Division of State Police for the same period shall be summarized by county and municipality in an annual report, and both quarterly summaries and annual reports shall be made available at no cost to the public on the Division of State Police's Internet website;
(c) Cannabis offered for promotional or business purposes in excess of one ounce (28.35 grams) in violation of subsection b. of section 46 of P.L.2021, c.16 (C.2C:35-10a), or as a gift when in fact it is a central part of the sales transaction is guilty of a disorderly persons offense.
As used in this paragraph "gifting" or "gift" means transferring cannabis for promotional or business purposes occurring outside of a cannabis sales transaction in a Class 5 retail license facility.
(13) Any other controlled dangerous substance classified in Schedule I, II, III or IV, or its analog, is guilty of a crime of the third degree, except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $25,000 may be imposed; or
(14) Any Schedule V substance, or its analog, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $25,000 may be imposed.
c. Where the degree of the offense for violation of this section depends on the quantity of the substance, the quantity involved shall be determined by the trier of fact, other than with respect to a first violation of subparagraph (b) of paragraph (12) of subsection b. of this section which is subject to a written warning as set forth in that subparagraph. Where the indictment or accusation so provides, the quantity involved in individual acts of manufacturing, distribution, dispensing or possessing with intent to distribute may be aggregated in determining the grade of the offense, whether distribution or dispensing is to the same person or several persons, provided that each individual act of manufacturing, distribution, dispensing or possession with intent to distribute was committed within the applicable statute of limitations.
(cf: P.L.2021, c.19, s.1)
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill amends the "New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act," concerning personal use of cannabis items, to clarify what constitutes unlawful gifting of marijuana or cannabis.
Section 46 of P.L.2021, c.16 (C.2C:35-10a) establishes that certain acts, formerly unlawful, are not unlawful and are not an offense for persons 21 years of age or older, provided cannabis was first obtained directly from a licensed cannabis retailer or delivered by a licensed cannabis delivery service. The lawful acts include possessing, displaying, purchasing, or transporting: cannabis paraphernalia; one ounce (28.35 grams) or less of useable cannabis; the equivalent of one ounce (28.35 grams) or less of usable cannabis as a cannabis product in solid, liquid, or concentrate form.
Additionally, the lawful acts include transferring without remuneration: one ounce (28.35 grams) or less of usable cannabis; the equivalent of one ounce (28.35 grams) or less of usable cannabis as a cannabis product in solid, liquid, or concentrate form, based upon the equivalency calculation for different product forms set by the commission pursuant to subsection a. of this section; or five grams (0.176 ounce) or less of cannabis resin to a person who is of legal age for purchasing cannabis items, provided that such transfer is for non-promotional, non-business purposes. Transferring amounts greater than the amounts specified at any one time is still considered a violation of the "Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 1987," P.L.1987, c.106 (N.J.S.2C:35-1 et al.), and can subject the person to prosecution as if the person distributed unlawful marijuana or hashish in violation of that act.
The bill clarifies that "gifting" or transferring cannabis for promotional or business purposes as a gift when in fact the transfer is a central part of a cannabis sales transaction is also a violation of the "Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 1987," P.L.1987, c.106 (N.J.S.2C:35-1 et al.), and subjects the person to prosecution as if the person distributed marijuana or hashish in violation of that act.
In addition, the bill amends N.J.S.2C:35-5, concerning manufacture, distribution or dispensing a controlled substance. Presently, it is unlawful for any person knowingly or purposely to manufacture, distribute or dispense, or to possess or have under his control with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense, a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog. Subparagraph (12) of subsection b. concerns violations involving marijuana. A violation of subsection b. with respect to marijuana in a quantity of one ounce or less is, for a first offense, subject to a written warning, which also indicates that any subsequent violation is a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment, a fine, or both, and for a second or subsequent offense, is a crime of the fourth degree.
Subparagraph (12) is amended to further provide that transferring cannabis for promotional or business purposes as a gift when in fact the transfer is a central part of a cannabis sales transaction is a violation of the "Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 1987," P.L.1987, c.106 (N.J.S.2C:35-1 et al.), and subjects the person to prosecution as a disorderly person.
Under the bill, "gifting" or "gift" means transferring cannabis for promotional or business purposes occurring outside of a cannabis sales transaction in a Class 5 retail license facility.
It is the sponsor's intent to stress that while gifting is lawful between adults 21 and older under New Jersey's adult-use cannabis law, entities attempting to preempt the regulatory process are in violation of the law.
