New Jersey lawmakers propose several home grow bills

Ask your N.J. legislators to legalize home cultivation!

Although New Jersey legalized adult-use cannabis in February, growing a single cannabis plant remains a felony! The vast majority of legalization states — including New York and Connecticut — include the legalization of home grow.

Write your state lawmakers today and urge them to sign on as cosponsors to the bills to legalize home cultivation — A.5435, S.3582, A.5552, and S.3420.

Shortly after legalization was finalized in February, Sen. Vin Gopal (D) introduced S.3582, which would allow persons 21 and up to grow and possess up to six plants for personal use, with a maximum of 12 plants per household. It would also allow medical patients to grow up to 10 plants, with a maximum of 12 plants per household. S.3582 was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee where it is awaiting a hearing. In that same month, Assemblymember Bob Auth (R) introduced A.5435, which would legalize possession of six or fewer plants. A.5435 awaits a hearing by the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

In May, Assemblymembers Joanne Downey (D), Eric Houghtailing (D), and Andrew Zwicker (D) cosponsored A.5552 — an Assembly version of S.3582, which is awaiting a hearing by the Law and Public Safety Committee. Separately, in February, Sen. Troy Singleton (D) sponsored S.3420. That bill awaits action by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.  

Although two-thirds of New Jersey voters approved legalization last November, growing a single cannabis plant remains a third-degree crime, punishable by three to five years in prison.

That’s why the passage of these bills is crucial in ensuring more New Jerseyans aren’t arrested and prosecuted for a plant that has proven to be far less harmful than alcohol or tobacco.

Please write your legislators today, then spread the word to others so that they, too, can raise their voices for reform.