MJ moment
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed a psilocybin reform bill into law on Thursday, immediately reclassifying possession of up to an ounce of psychedelic-containing mushrooms as a disorderly persons offense. The new classification means individuals caught with small amounts of psilocybin are now subject to a maximum $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail or both. Previously the offense was a third-degree crime and carried a penalty of between three to five years behind bars and fines of up to $15,000. The change puts mushroom possession on par with simple assault, harassment, shoplifting or resisting arrest in New Jersey. Murphy signed the mushroom legislation, A 5084 / S 3256, along with a host of other bills on Thursday. He did not issue a signing statement on the psilocybin policy change. Lawmakers sent the measure to the governor in mid-December, after passing it alongside two separate marijuana-related bills, one to implement the state’s legal marijuana market, legalized by voters in November’s election, and the other to decriminalize possession of small amounts of cannabis. The mushroom bill was originally introduced as an amendment to the decriminalization measure, but backers spun it off as a separate bill after some lawmakers said it was inappropriate to shoehorn into the marijuana legislation. Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D), who first introduced the mushroom amendment, said Thursday the change mushrooms are still illegal in New Jersey, “but it’s not going to ruin lives for a first offense.” “Obviously the governor recognizes our continued failed war on drugs,” Scutari told USA Today network reporter Stacey Barchenger. “This was an old relic of the war on drugs; a felony conviction for simple possession of a mushroom.” Meanwhile, Murphy has not yet signed either of the marijuana bills. After lawmakers passed the measure to implement legalization, the governor said…
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Source : New Jersey Governor Signs Psilocybin Bill To Immediately Reduce Penalties For Possession
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