"CJ's Law"; Criminalizes manufacture, sale, and possession of substances containing kratom.

S 3359, "CJ's Law," would criminalize the manufacture, sale, and possession of substances containing kratom (mitragyna speciosa korth), with penalties based on quantity. Possessing or distributing 1 ounce or more of kratom would be a second-degree crime punishable by 5-10 years in prison or a $150,000 fine, while smaller amounts would be third or fourth-degree crimes with lesser penalties. The bill directly affects individuals who use, sell, or distribute kratom products, which are currently legal in New Jersey but are warned against by the FDA for potential addiction and health risks. The law is named after Christopher James Holowach, who died from cardiac arrest related to kratom use combined with prescription medication. This bill aims to address public health concerns about kratom, which the FDA has identified as posing risks including addiction, abuse, and dependence.