Marijuana was decriminalized in New Jersey in 1975, reducing penalties for possession of small amounts to a civil offense similar to a traffic ticket. The new law aimed to reduce overcrowding in prisons and focus law enforcement efforts on more serious crimes. Some saw it as a step toward legalization of marijuana, while others felt it sent the wrong message about drug use.
Marijuana was decriminalized in New Jersey in 1975, reducing penalties for possession of small amounts to a civil offense similar to a traffic ticket. The new law aimed to reduce overcrowding in prisons and focus law enforcement efforts on more serious crimes. Some saw it as a step toward legalization of marijuana, while others felt it sent the wrong message about drug use.
Marijuana was decriminalized in New Jersey in 1975, reducing penalties for possession of small amounts to a civil offense similar to a traffic ticket. The new law aimed to reduce overcrowding in prisons and focus law enforcement efforts on more serious crimes. Some saw it as a step toward legalization of marijuana, while others felt it sent the wrong message about drug use.