Conaway, Downey, Houghtaling & Speight Bill to Allow Notification of Guardians for Underage Drinking and Cannabis Use Now Law

(TRENTON) – To further discourage the use of alcohol and cannabis by residents under the age of 18, Assembly members Herb Conaway (D-Burlington), Joann Downey (D-Monmouth), Eric Houghtaling (D-Monmouth) and Shanique Speight (D-Essex) sponsor legislation to require law enforcement to provide written notification to a parent or guardian of a person under age 18 who commits the first offense of unlawfully buying or possessing alcoholic beverages or cannabis.

The bill (A-5472) was given final legislative approval by the full Assembly on Thursday, 72-0. The Governor signed the legislation into law today.

Assembly members Conaway, Downey, Houghtaling, and Speight issued the following statement on the new law:

“With this new law, we address the many concerns for the lack of parental notification of underage drinking and cannabis use under the cannabis legalization bill recently signed into law. Parents and guardians should be notified of a child’s interaction and their potential harm through the use of alcohol and cannabis. These substances are not meant for children. Diligent notification to their parents will allow for intervention and resources to be employed to help stop underage substance abuse early.”