Legalization Momentum: Courts clear 362,000 marijuana cases in New Jersey, arrests drop 90% in VA

From Franca Quarneti via El Planteo

Marijuana legalization is gaining traction in the United States, increasingly reflected in decriminalization, reduced sentences, and a decrease in cannabis-related arrests.

In New Jersey, for example, the courts have dismissed or canceled 362,000 marijuana-related cases. In addition, in the Richmond, Virginia area, cannabis-related arrests decreased by 90%.

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Courts dismiss cannabis cases in New Jersey

According to the New Jersey Justice Department, the state’s courts have canceled or dismissed approximately 362,000 marijuana-related cases since July 1.

150,000 residents are now entitled to have their marijuana-related records automatically deleted by the courts. And if those records weren’t automatically deleted, people can still appeal to the court.

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As reported by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), these new measures come after the New Jersey Supreme Court issued an order to stop and eradicate marijuana offenses.

New Jersey isn’t the only state in which this happens: in Illinois, authorities deleted 500,000 records, in California 200,000 others.

90% fewer marijuana arrests in Richmond, Virginia.

According to Ganjapreneur, cannabis-related arrests in the city of Richmond, Virginia have fallen more than 90% since the state’s cannabis law went into effect July 1 and there were only 25 arrests. In comparison, there were 257 arrests in the same period last year.

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Speaking to the Richmond Times Dispatch, Jean Michelle Pedini, Director of NORML and Executive Director of the State Chapter, said: “The decline in arrests shows that public order is functioning as intended and is in line with what other states have observed after legalization.”