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A 5926

Relates to limitations upon school district tax levies

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pamela Hunter and 7 co-sponsors

Imposes criminal penalties for unlicensed cannabis activity, escalating from owners to leaders and buyers, and authorizes law enforcement to close operations and seize product.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · A 5926

Summary of Assembly Bill A 5926 (Introduced July 24, 2025)

Purpose and scope

A 5926 enacts new criminal penalties for the unlicensed manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of marijuana in New Jersey, and for the purchase of marijuana from unlicensed cannabis businesses. The bill supplements the state’s cannabis framework established under the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (CREAMMA). It creates distinct crimes with escalating penalties for owners, leaders of illegal networks, and purchasers, and grants law enforcement authority to close unlicensed operations and seize marijuana.

Note: The bill’s short title in the provided materials references “Relates to limitations upon school district tax levies,” but the introduced text focuses on penalties for unlicensed cannabis activity.

Key provisions

  • Unlicensed owner penalty (third-degree crime)
    An owner of a business that is not licensed by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CCR) and that manufactures, distributes, or dispenses any quantity of marijuana is guilty of a third-degree crime. Penalties for a third-degree crime under New Jersey law generally include 3–5 years imprisonment and/or fines (up to $15,000), with other penalties possible.

  • Leader of an illegal marijuana business network (second-degree crime)
    A person who conspires as an organizer, supervisor, financier, or manager to engage for profit in unlawful manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of marijuana through more than one unlicensed business location is guilty of a second-degree crime. Penalties typically include 5–10 years imprisonment and/or fines up to $150,000, with a presumption of imprisonment upon conviction.

  • Knowingly purchasing from an unlicensed business (disorderly persons offense)
    A person who knowingly purchases marijuana from an unlicensed cannabis business is guilty of a disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to 6 months imprisonment and/or a fine up to $1,000.

  • Enforcement and remedy provisions
    Upon discovery of a violation, the New Jersey State Police, in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Office, may take necessary steps to close any unlicensed business and shall seize marijuana manufactured, distributed, or dispensed in violation of the bill (or existing law).

  • Effective date
    The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who would be affected

  • Business owners operating cannabis operations without CCR licensing.
  • Leaders and organizers of illegal cannabis networks (across multiple unlicensed locations).
  • Customers/purchasers who knowingly buy marijuana from unlicensed sources.
  • Law enforcement agencies (State Police and AG’s Office), which would have authority to close operations and seize product.

Legislative context and status

  • Introduced: July 24, 2025.
  • Current status: Referred to Assembly Education, with an additional reference to Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee upon introduction.
  • Sponsors: Donna Lupardo (primary) and several cosponsors (e.g., Pamela J. Hunter, Nader Sayegh, Billy Jones, Jo Anne Simon, Albert A. Stirpe, Philip Ramos, Mary Beth Walsh).
  • Related/companion bills: S 4154 (companion), plus other prior-session house and senate counterparts (e.g., A 226, A 6533, A 6081, A 4687, S 2277, A 9792).

Potential impact

  • Deterrence and enforcement: Elevates penalties for unlicensed cannabis activity, aiming to deter illicit manufacture/distribution and multi-location networks.
  • Public safety and consumer protection: Enables closer policing of unlicensed markets and removal of illegal product from the market.
  • Policy alignment: Complements CREAMMA by reinforcing consequences for non-compliance with the CCR licensing regime.

This summary reflects the introduced version’s substantive content as provided.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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