Language in the new marijuana legislation disrupts the holistic, community-based approach we take to keep our children healthy and safe. We believe minors are best served when parents can work in conjunction with the people who teach, coach, mentor and protect our youth. Unfortunately, the new legislation signed into law by Governor Murphy prohibits the police from participating in that collaborative effort by threatening them with criminal charges should they engage minors who are obviously violating the law.

We understand the will of New Jersey voters in electing to legalize marijuana. We have no issue with the legal usage of cannabis for those of age, but minors are still prohibited under the law to use or possess alcohol and marijuana. Though this legislation has been amended to allow for parental notification, it only serves to provide a false sense of security to parents.

Police use the power of observation to perform their duties as community caretakers, emergency aid providers, keepers of the peace, and law enforcement officers. This involves utilizing all of one's senses, including the sense of smell. One of the most conspicuous manifestations of marijuana and alcohol use is the odor associated with their ingestion.

Under the current legislation minors can be observed smoking marijuana by a police officer, but if that police officer stops or detains that minor based on the odor, that officer will face serious sanctions, including being charged with the Crime of Official Deprivation of Civil Rights. If officers are so discouraged from engaging minors using drugs and alcohol in the first place, what good is the parental notification amendment?

The laws are unclear and confusing, and they discourage police interaction with at-risk youth by threatening to punish officers for doing their jobs.

The legislation must be corrected. Sign your name to let Trenton know that you support this effort. Allow police officers to participate in the collaborative societal effort to care for our children, and remove the threatening language against officers who seek to simply do their jobs.