Reinstates penalty for underage possession and consumption of alcohol and cannabis as disorderly person offense.

This bill would restore criminal penalties for individuals under the legal age to purchase alcohol or cannabis who possess or consume these substances in schools, public places, or vehicles. Currently, underage possession/consumption results in written warnings rather than criminal charges, but this bill would make it a "disorderly person offense" punishable by a minimum $500 fine and up to six months in jail. The bill also reinstates a six-month suspension of driving privileges for violations committed in motor vehicles. The sponsor states this change is needed because the previous non-punitive system has been ineffective, as shown by increased police reports of underage parties with alcohol and cannabis in beach communities.