N.J. police oppose suit over off-duty cannabis policy

The New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police is speaking out against a lawsuit filed by Jersey City against the state over a policy permitting off-duty legal cannabis consumption for police officers.

The FOP on Thursday issued a statement calling the lawsuit a “waste of taxpayer dollars,” noting that the state Attorney General’s Office has already issued a directive allowing police to use marijuana off-the-clock as long as they are not impaired at work.

The state also prohibits random testing of police officers for off-duty cannabis use.

Jersey City officials filed suit on Oct. 16 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey challenging an aspect of New Jersey’s adult use marijuana law permitting police officers to use the drug outside of work.

The plaintiffs contend that the federal law barring firearms possession for those who use marijuana impacts law enforcement since police officers must possess guns as part of their job duties.