A5475

An Act concerning the consumption of unknown foods and beverages, and supplementing P.L.2021, c.16 (C.24:6I-31 et al.), chapter 33 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes, P.L.1983, c.492 (C.30:5B-1 et seq.), and Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. No later than 90 days following the date of enactment of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, in consultation with the Commissioners of Education, Children and Families, and Health, shall prepare age-appropriate instructional posters advising on the effects of consuming any unknown food or beverage, which may include, but not be limited to: any cannabis item, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2021, c.16 (C.24:6I-33); or any hemp or hemp-derived cannabinoid product, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2019, c.238 (C.4:28-8). The instructional posters shall be in a format and language that is clear, simple, and understandable for any person under the age of 21.

2. a. The Department of Education shall distribute the instructional posters prepared pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) to each public and nonpublic school.

b. Each public and nonpublic school shall ensure the instructional posters prepared pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) are prominently displayed in any high-traffic and clearly visible public area that is readily accessible to, and widely used by, students including, but not limited to: the school cafeteria; the school gymnasium; and the school nurse's office.

3. a. The Department of Children and Families shall distribute the instructional posters prepared pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) to each licensed child care center.

b. Each licensed child care center shall ensure the instructional posters prepared pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) are prominently displayed in any high-traffic and clearly visible public area that is readily accessible to, and widely used by, children and staff.

4. a. The Department of Health shall distribute the instructional posters prepared pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) to each youth camp as defined in section 3 of P.L.1973, c.375 (C.26:12-3), recreation center, and faith-based youth program.

b. Each youth camp, recreation center, and faith-based youth program shall ensure the instructional posters prepared pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) are prominently displayed in any high-traffic and clearly visible public area that is readily accessible to, and widely used by, children and staff.

5. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill requires the creation and display of posters advising on the effects of consuming any unknown foods or beverages in certain locations.

No later than 90 days following the date of enactment of the bill, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, in consultation with the Commissioners of Education, Children and Families, and Health, is required to prepare age-appropriate instructional posters advising on the effects of consuming any unknown food or beverage, which may include any cannabis item or any hemp or hemp-derived cannabinoid product as defined under current law. The bill provides that these posters will be in a format and language that is clear, simple, and understandable for any person under the age of 21.

Under the bill, the Departments of Education, Children and Families, and Health are required to distribute the instructional posters to each public and nonpublic school, licensed child care center, youth camp, recreation center, and faith-based youth program, respectively.

Each public and nonpublic school, licensed child care center, youth camp, recreation center, and faith-based youth program will ensure the instructional posters are prominently displayed in any high-traffic and clearly visible public area that is readily accessible to, and widely used by, children and staff.