Law Enforcement Response to Reports of Controlled Dangerous Substances and Cannabis. The (law enforcement agency) must dispatch an officer as promptly as possible to take custody and secure the controlled dangerous substance (CDS), related paraphernalia, or cannabis. School officials must provide to the responding law enforcement officer information necessary to establish the chain of custody and the circumstances of the seizure, including the identity of any person(s) from whom the substance or item was obtained. All law enforcement officers, including those assigned to schools, must follow the newly amended underage law, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15, and Attorney General guidance set forth in Interim Guidance Regarding Marijuana Decriminalization (Mar 26, 2021). N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15 requires the following in issuing warnings: • First offense. Officers shall issue a written warning, which must include the person’s name, address, and date of birth. The law was amended on March 26, 2021 (P.L.2021, c.38) to require the officer to provide written notification of the violation to the individual’s parent or guardian if the individual is under the age of 18. • Second offense. Officers shall issue a written warning, and also provide the person with informational materials on community treatment services. For individuals under the age of 18, the officer shall provide written notification of the violation to the individual’s parent or guardian, including the informational materials. • Third or subsequent offense. Officers shall issue a written warning and provide the individual with a referral for community treatment services. The officer shall provide notice of the written warning and referral to the community treatment services program regardless of the age of the individual; if the individual is under 18, then the officer shall provide the juvenile’s parents or guardian with written notification of the violation and the referral.
