Voters have made their decision clear — they support the legalization of cannabis now. Although New Jerseyans overwhelmingly voted to legalize cannabis, growing a single cannabis plant is still a third-degree crime, punishable by three to five years in prison. Unless the legislature acts, thousands of New Jerseyans will continue to be at risk of being subjected to traumatic, life-altering arrests and criminal convictions until home cultivation is permitted. That’s why A.5552, A.5435, S.3582, and S.3420, which would permit the personal cultivation of cannabis, are critically important. A.5552 awaits a hearing by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee, while A.5435 awaits a hearing by the Assembly Judiciary Committee. S.3420 and S.3582 both await a hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee. I hope you will sign on as a cosponsor and urge your colleagues to call these bills for a hearing, so that more lives aren’t needlessly destroyed over a plant that is far safer than alcohol. Thank you.

Now that cannabis is legal for adults, why is our state continuing to incarcerate residents for growing a handful of plants in the privacy of their homes? In a free society, adults should not be jailed for growing a handful of cannabis plants. And during this time of reckoning about racial justice and policing, we should be reducing unnecessary police-civilian interactions and police intrusions into private homes. Legalizing home cultivation is one more step in that direction. Fifteen of the 19 legalization states, including New York and Connecticut, include home grow in their laws. And brewing beer is legal in all 50 states. It’s past time to stop destroying lives over personal cannabis activity. Please cosponsor A.5552, A.5435, S.3582, and S.3420 and work to ensure they get a hearing and vote. Thank you.