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

Bill S 1704 reinstates fines for underage possession or consumption of alcohol and cannabis in public places (like schools, parks, or vehicles), making it a "disorderly person offense" punishable by a minimum $500 fine for first-time violations. It directly affects individuals under the legal age for purchasing alcohol (21) or cannabis (21), who are caught possessing or consuming these substances in restricted areas. The bill establishes a tiered approach: first offenses receive written warnings (with parent notification if under 18), second offenses include community service referrals, and third or subsequent offenses trigger service referrals without fines. Crucially, refusing offered community services does not lead to further legal action.