TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Toms River Police Department today said they would join a growing list of law enforcement agencies across New Jersey that will defy New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin’s directive to allow cops to smoke weed while not on duty.
On April 14th, Platkin issued an order to police departments prohibiting them from taking punitive actions against cops who smoke weed off-hours.
“To be clear, there should be zero tolerance for cannabis use, possession or intoxication while performing the duties of a law enforcement officer,” Platkin said in that memo. “And there should be zero tolerance for unregulated marijuana consumption by officers at any time, on or off duty, while employed in this state.”
Since that memo, several cities, including Democrat-controlled cities such as Jersey City and Bayonne, barred its officers from toking up after hours. Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy filed suit last week, sending a letter to the Ocean County Board of Commissioners notifying him that his officers will also be banned from smoking marijuana.
Today, the Toms River Police Department joined the growing list of agencies to ban recreational marijuana for its officers.
“In response to the Attorney General’s directive regarding recreational marijuana for police officers, the Toms River Police Department, along with many law enforcement agencies in the state, will be keeping our policy intact,” Chief Mitch Little said today. “Our officers will not be permitted to use recreational marijuana on or off duty. Marijuana remains listed as a Schedule I drug under the Federal Controlled Substances Act.”