‘Shocked, Appalled’ At Underaged Marijuana Rules: Lawrence Chief

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Lawrence Township Police Chief Brian M. Caloiaro said that the police department was “shocked” and “appalled” at the new marijuana laws that prohibits police from informing the parents of underage users.

In a statement to the community, Caloiaro said the new laws were “problematic” and “counterproductive.”

“After reviewing the new policy, what presents itself as most problematic to the police department is our inability to freely communicate with parents,” Caloiaro said.

Under the framework of the new law, first time underage offenders will be given a written warning, but law enforcement is prohibited from notifying their parents or guardians. The written warning is issued only to the offender and not their parents.

A second offense by an underage user would require notification to parents and a third would result in drug treatment referrals and a $50 fine or community service.

“We are shocked and appalled as a police department but also as parents. Who will ensure the welfare our kids, if the police can neither act nor contact a parent or legal guardian?” Caloiaro said.

Explaining how the process would work Caloiaro said that if an officer finds anyone under the age of 21 consuming alcohol or smoking marijuana, they cannot contact the juvenile’s parent or guardian unless this behavior has been previously documented.

“Unless the child chooses to share this information, parents will be left in the dark,” he said.

The police chief said that for years, the Lawrence Police Department has worked with the school administration, communicated openly with parents and conducted programs to help children make “healthy decisions.”

Caloiaro said that the Lawrence police department has worked collaboratively with the community and has always sought to implement non-punitive measures for juvenile offenses, including underage alcohol or marijuana possession.

“Formal charges have always been a last resort,” he said.

Since becoming chief, Caloiaro said he reinstated two juvenile officers who work with community youth. He also placed an SRO at the Lawrence high school, and SLEO III officers in the middle, intermediate and elementary schools “to create positive, daily interactions.”

“Our department has dedicated a great deal of time and energy to maintaining a healthy and safe community,” he said.

Caloiaro said the department will continue to work with the community and youth to "build bridges and foster positive relationships.”

“Together, we will find a way to navigate these trying times. Please know our priorities have not changed even though our means of achieving them might,” he said.

Caloiaro isn’t the only police chief to express concern with the new law. South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka called the law “ridiculous” and said it would put additional burden on schools.

Read More Here: Marijuana Rules For Underaged 'Ridiculous:' South Brunswick Chief

When officers find juveniles in possession of marijuana and/or alcohol, the following restrictions apply:

• The odor of marijuana or alcohol no longer constitutes reasonable articulable suspicion to initiate a stop of an individual under the age of 21, nor does it provide probable cause to search the person’s personal property or vehicle.
• The unconcealed possession of an alcoholic beverage or marijuana that is observed in plain sight shall not constitute probable cause to initiate a search of an individual under the age of 21 or that individual’s personal property or vehicle to determine a violation of any law.
• An individual under the age of 21 who possesses marijuana or alcoholic beverages shall not be arrested, detained, or otherwise taken into custody except to the extent required to issue a written warning.
• For an individual under the age of 21 who possesses marijuana or alcoholic beverages as a first offense, this new law forbids officers to contact a parent or guardian. We are to issue a written warning but this written warning shall not be provided to the individuals parent or guardian.

Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed bills into law that make adult use of marijuana legal. It also decriminalizes small amounts of marijuana possession in New Jersey.

To read more about marijuana legalization in NJ, click here.

For the NJ Attorney General's guidance on marijuana legalization, click here.

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