Bill would ban marijuana from off-the-clock police, first responders, truck drivers, and heavy equipment operators

Since 2022, anyone of legal age can walk into a dispensary in New Jersey and buy marijuana products. That law was tested in Jersey City, where the city banned police from using marijuana on or off duty. Two officers fired for using marijuana off the clock sued and won. Whatever policy gets enacted by the legislature and signed by the governor is almost never a completed project. State Assemblyman Larry Weinstein and State Senator Brian Stack, both of Hudson County, introduced bills that would prohibit police, first responders, CDL drivers, or heavy equipment operators from using recreational pot at all times. It's going to run into some significant legal hurdles. Former state legislator John Wisniewski says that will be difficult to get passed because no test currently exists to show immediate marijuana impairment like alcohol breathalyzers. This is an issue that is going to have to wait, maybe. For the science to catch up, both bills introduced last month were referred to public safety committees. New Jersey State PBA President Pete Andreev says an officer's professional standards on duty should not come at the expense of their lawful rights when off duty and that quote any change should be grounded in public safety needs, not assumptions or unnecessarily broad restrictions on the lawful conduct of New Jersey's police officers. Wisniewski explained the bill would still have to clear two committees, a floor vote and an approval by Governor Phil Murphy to become law and says it's one to keep our eyes on. Whether you're a recipient of emergency services or you're a provider of emergency services, this will affect a large group of people in the state. Jim Murdoch, News 12, New Jersey.