These New Jersey mayors are “no way” saying cops get high off-duty — here’s why
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The sale of adult-use cannabis went into effect in New Jersey last Thursday, 17 months after New Jersey residents voted to legalize it.
Like other cannabis enthusiasts, police officers are welcome to purchase and use recreational marijuana at any of the 13 retail outlets operated by the seven treatment centers.
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According to a recent memo to police chiefs by acting New Jersey AG Matthew Platkin, New Jersey police officers can use cannabis while not on the job with impunity. A weed-contaminated urine test would not serve as grounds for dismissal, Police1.com reported.
Platkin also emphasized that “in the performance of the duties of a law enforcement officer, there should be zero tolerance for cannabis use, possession or intoxication.”
Two mayors are unhappy with Platkin’s decision
While police advocates agree that cannabis use by law enforcement is a legal gray area, two New Jersey mayors are firmly opposed.
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop tweeted last Wednesday, April 20, that Jersey City police officers will be fired if they use marijuana even when they are off-duty, Hudson reported. He added that the city’s nearly 1,000 law enforcement officers would be issued an order that marijuana use “will not be permitted,” and threatened that the city “will pursue termination.”
RELATED: New Jersey police officers can legally use cannabis when they don’t
“The fact is, all federal government officers/recruits certify through the (Department of Justice) + (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) papers when they receive their firearms that they will not use federally banned drugs including marijuana,” Fulop said in the tweet. “New Jersey’s policies allowing law enforcement to smoke is an outlier statewide that will put our officers and our discernment-impaired community at risk.”
Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis followed suit. “Being a retired police officer myself, I know that sworn law enforcement officers need to be maintained at a higher level, and I believe approving marijuana use by off-duty personnel would result in lawsuits affecting both taxpayers and the community.” endangering public safety would make it harder to win criminal convictions.”
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The police union advises members it’s best not to risk it, while Gov. Phil Murphy is open to considering legislation banning off-duty cops from attending if and when it lands on his desk.
“Nobody knows what’s still under influence,” said Pat Colligan, president of the Benevolent Association of New Jersey Policemen, which has 33,000 members. “If I smoke a joint on a Saturday, I’ll still have it in my system Monday morning and for 30 days.”
GOP Senators Deeply Concerned
Meanwhile, a group of Republican senators were anxious to convey their concerns to Platkin.
In their letter, the senators warned of several potential issues, conflicts and liabilities that could arise from Platkin’s memo, Insider NJ reported.
RELATED: The case for allowing police to use cannabis
They emphasized that “marijuana users are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms at the federal level, an omission that could unwittingly expose officers to the risk of criminal prosecution, or that the legitimacy of DRE evidence is currently being questioned by the New Jersey Supreme Court.” “.
The senators went on to say that the inevitable consequences of these policies for local and state governments include the potential loss of federal contracts or funding due to the deferred prohibition of marijuana – which they consider a Schedule I drug.
This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.
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