Blogs

INDUSTRY NEWS

8/23 Update: New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission Issues Guidance Related to Decriminalization Law

On February 22, 2021, Governor Murphy signed three cannabis reform laws into law.

August 23, 2021 update: The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (the "Commission") published initial rules for the Personal-Use of Cannabis under the NJ decriminalization law "CREAMMA." NJ employers are currently no longer required to conduct a physical evaluation of an employee being drug tested in accordance with CREAMMA. This guidance is subject to change as the Commission issues new information. Business Information Group will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available.

These laws include: New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement, Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act,1 a decriminalization law,2 and a "clean up" bill3 that implements penalties for underage cannabis offenders. This News to Note addresses the employment implications specifically under the decriminalization law.

Section 15 of the decriminalization law states that when making employment decisions, employers are unable to "rely on, or require any applicant to disclose or reveal, or take any adverse action against any applicant for employment solely on the basis of any arrest, charge, conviction, or adjudication of delinquency[...] for the manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing, or possessing or having under control with the intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense marijuana." This also includes consideration of any "civil penalty or community service imposed in lieu of a civil penalty if the act was an unlawful act and not a crime or offense."

Employers who violate such requirements will be subject to civil penalties, enforced by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. Penalties are "not to exceed $1,000 for the first violation, $5,000 for the second violation, and $10,000 for each subsequent violation."

Clients are encouraged to reach out to account managers with any questions.

Updated: August 23, 2021


1 https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/S0500/21_R2.PDF

2 https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/A2000/1897_R3.HTM

3 https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/S3500/3454_I1.HTM


All Rights Reserved © 2021 Business Information Group, Inc.
This document and/or presentation is provided as a service to our customers. Its contents are designed solely for informational purposes, and should not be inferred or understood as legal advice or binding case law, nor shared with any third parties. Persons in need of legal assistance should seek the advice of competent legal counsel. Although care has been taken in preparation of these materials, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information contained within it. Anyone using this information does so at his or her own risk.

Sending...
Thank you for your interest in Business Information Group. We have received your message and will contact you in one business day or less.
You have exceeded the number of attempts to submit this form. As a result, your IP address has been temporarily blocked.

Get In Touch

Send a Message *fields required

What are your Interests?optional

Contact Information

Even our RFP PROCESS is state-of-the-art.

Take a look
RFP Kit

What our clients are saying

We cannot express enough how much we have enjoyed working with BIG! It has really benefitted our processing and ease of doing business!

Licensing and Registration Manager
Investment and Insurance Company

I enjoy collaborating with BIG, and know that if I have to reach out with a question/concern, a positive attitude with a willingness to find resolve is on the other side of an email or a phone call.

Human Resources Administrator
Global Financial Services Firm

You have been the most professional and most helpful business partner that I have ever been associated with — always there to assist us and with rapid turnaround times.

Principal Consultant
Major Professional Services Network

I am confident whenever we add a product with your company that I will have a good experience.

Division Manager
Insurance and Financial Services Agency

We have received superior service and we know this is what you and your team strive for. We are grateful for the dedication, level of professionalism and effort shown.

Agent
Large Insurance Agency

You are leaving BIGReport.com

Ok, Continue Cancel

×
×