New Jersey § 24:6i-32

§ 24:6i-32.

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. It is the intent of the people of New Jersey to adopt a new approach to our marijuana

policies by controlling and legalizing a form of marijuana, to be referred to as cannabis,

in a similar fashion to the regulation of alcohol for adults; b. It is the intent of the people of New Jersey that the provisions of this act will

prevent the sale or distribution of cannabis to persons under 21 years of age; c. This act is designed to eliminate the problems caused by the unregulated manufacturing,

distribution, and use of illegal marijuana within New Jersey; d. This act will divert funds from marijuana sales from going to illegal enterprises,

gangs, and cartels; e. Black New Jerseyans are nearly three times more likely to be arrested for marijuana

possession than white New Jerseyans, despite similar usage rates; f. New Jersey spends approximately $127 million per year on marijuana possession enforcement

costs; g. Controlling and legalizing cannabis for adults in a similar fashion to alcohol

will free up precious resources to allow our criminal justice system to focus on serious

criminal activities and public safety issues; h. Controlling and legalizing cannabis for adults in a similar fashion to alcohol

will strike a blow at the illegal enterprises that profit from New Jersey's current,

unregulated illegal marijuana market; i. New Jersey must strengthen its support for evidence-based, drug use prevention

programs that work to educate New Jerseyans, particularly young New Jerseyans, about

the harms of substance use disorder ; j. New Jersey must enhance State-supported programming that provides appropriate,

evidence-based treatment for those who suffer from the illness of substance use disorder ; k. Controlling and regulating the manufacturing, distribution, and sales of cannabis

will strengthen our ability to keep it along with illegal marijuana away from minors; l . A controlled system of cannabis manufacturing, distribution, and sales must be designed

in a way that enhances public health and minimizes harm to New Jersey communities

and families; m. The legalized cannabis marketplace in New Jersey must be regulated so as to prevent

persons younger than 21 years of age from accessing or purchasing cannabis; n. A marijuana arrest in New Jersey can have a debilitating impact on a person's future,

including consequences for one's job prospects, housing access, financial health,

familial integrity, immigration status, and educational opportunities; and o . New Jersey cannot afford to sacrifice public safety and individuals' civil rights

by continuing its ineffective and wasteful past marijuana enforcement policies.