Revised New Jersey Pharmacy Syringe Sales Bill Passes

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #717)
Consequences of Prohibition

The New Jersey legislature last week passed a revised S 958, bill allowing pharmacies to sell syringes without a prescription. Gov. Chris Christie (R) signed it into law Tuesday. The legislature had passed the bill in December, but last week, Christie conditionally vetoed the original version of the bill, saying it needed to be tightened.

[image:1 align:right]In his veto statement, Christie said the bill should include "a requirement of purchasers to present a photo identification for proof of age" and should require the health department to provide information about syringe disposal and drug treatment programs to pharmacies.

The bill would allow for the purchase of up to 10 syringes without a prescription. It also decriminalizes the possession of needles bought from a pharmacy without a prescription.

New Jersey is one of only two states that still bans over-the-counter syringe sales. The other is neighboring Delaware.

The bill was sponsored by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer), Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen), Assemblyman Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex), Assemblywoman Joan Voss (D-Bergen), Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D-Essex), Assemblywoman Joan Quigley (D-Bergen and Hudson) and Assemblyman Thomas Giblin (D-Essex and Passaic).

Now that the governor has gotten the language he wanted, he has signed the bill.

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Comments

LegalizeHeroin (not verified)

well i guess we give them enuff hell for their everyday screw ups i guess some kudos are due for this rare occurance of doing something right. kudos NJ, its about time but your a little late to the dance sugar lets move it ahead now sunshine, when are pharmacies gonna start partyin like its 1899 and selling heroin, pot, coke etc. over the counter w/o prescription??? or are all of the people who'd enjoy a life like that just born too late and too soon and therefore SOL?

Sun, 01/15/2012 - 8:19am Permalink

New Jersey is one of only two states that still bans over-the-counter syringe sales. 

How can you say "still bans" after this was passed?  Nonprescription = OTC.

Thu, 01/19/2012 - 11:43am Permalink
SOL (not verified)

In reply to by Robert Goodman (not verified)

Only problem is that there is NO pharmacy that is going to be willing to sell them.  The pharmacy doesn't HAVE to sell syringes OTC if they don't want to.  They can make it store policy.  Because the first junkies who OD's using one of their syringes - the family will sue the pharmacy who sold them the needle.  So, all of us people who party like it's 1999 are SOL in NJ.....

Tue, 07/15/2014 - 8:46am Permalink
retro (not verified)

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Tue, 10/23/2012 - 6:24am Permalink
cup0726 (not verified)

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Tue, 10/23/2012 - 6:27am Permalink

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