decriminalization

Senate votes 29-4 to decriminalize the posession of up to 6 ounces of marijuana. Assembly schedules a Monday voting session, but no word if a vote is planned.

Twenty weeks before New Jersey voters will decide whether to legalize marijuana, an Assembly committee Monday voted to decriminalize it.

Expungement of criminal records advanced easily. But vote on switching to civil fine for possession was shelved, revived, then advanced without discussion.

If you legalize marijuana, the black market eventually dries up. The same can't be said with decriminalization.

The legislation would establish civil fines for possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana of $150 for a first offense, increasing to $200 and then $500.