New Jersey Might Decriminalize Pot

The New Jersey state legislature recently passed a bill that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, which might be beneficial for its medical usage. Under current law, having 50 grams or less of pot can lead to six months of jail and a maximum fine of up to $1,000. Though having marijuana is looked on as less dangerous than having harder drugs like heroin, cocaine, crack, meth, or others, it still carries a similar punishment under current law. New Jersey governor Chris Christie has said that he may veto the bill, but supporters hope to persuade him to pass it into law.

Though decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of pot might be good for decreasing criminal activity and lead to less-crowded jails, it could also be very dangerous for those who are addicted to pot. Easy availability would lead to much stronger temptation for those who are abusing the drug. And even though this law would remove fines and incarceration, drug charges are still serious. For example, students convicted of having drugs can lose their financial aid.

If you’ve got a problem with using marijuana, now is the best time to seek good help. Thankfully, there is good help easily available. Detoxification and behavioral therapy have proven to be effective in treating dependence. Addicts are often unable to complete treatment on their own or with family members, so it’s very important to seek the right treatment center. At Seabrook, we customize our treatment plans to individual patient’s needs, so you know the help you’re getting is right for you or a loved one. Seabrook has rehabilitation centers in New Jersey (NJ), Pennsylvania (PA), and an outpatient center in New York (NY). Contact Seabrook today for any questions about alcohol, addiction, and treatment.