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New Jersey Marijuana Legalization Laws
Summary:
- Both medical and adult-use marijuana are legal in New Jersey.
- It’s still a federal crime to transport marijuana across state lines.
- Growing marijuana yourself in New Jersey is illegal.
Cannabis legalization is undoubtedly expanding across the country. From east to west, and so many places between the coasts, the stigma of cannabis use is fading. Today, both medicinal marijuana patients and recreational users have access to safe marijuana and cannabis products in a growing number of states across the USA.
New Jersey is no exception. Over the last few years, we have seen vast changes to the New Jersey laws surrounding medical marijuana and the recreational use of cannabis.
If you feel like laws are changing so quickly that they’re difficult to keep up with, you’re not alone.
So, where is cannabis legal? How can you legally purchase marijuana in New Jersey? When it comes to your cannabis questions, we’re here to help. Consider us your clued-in friend with the latest, most up-to-date information about the medical marijuana laws in New Jersey.
Then and now: a timeline of cannabis laws in New Jersey
Following the path that was already blazed by a number of western states such as Colorado, Washington, Oregon and California, The Garden State was among a number of progressive early adopters that legalized marijuana for medical use.
The Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act passed in 2010, allowing qualifying New Jersey patients to use medical cannabis with a physician’s recommendation and guidance.
And just a few years later in 2013, S 2842 was signed into law. This NJ marijuana bill allowed edible forms of cannabis to be consumed by patients under the age of 18.
In 2019 a bill called Jake’s Law made big changes to the New Jersey medical marijuana laws. This progressive bill expanded access for provisions such as home delivery, increased the allowed amount of medical cannabis and widened overall access to safe cannabis products with the addition of more cultivators, manufacturers, and retailers.
In November 2020 empowered New Jersey voters took to the polls and approved New Jersey Public Question 1, also known as the Marijuana Legalization Amendment. This amendment legalized the use and possession of cannabis for New Jersey residents 21 and older. Additionally, the Marijuana Legalization Amendment hashed out a bunch of tax rates — we’ll get into those later.
Early in 2021, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act was signed into law, legalizing marijuana possession of up to six ounces (170 grams) of cannabis. [source]
2021 had even more wins, with bills signed into law reducing penalties for marijuana possession and the issuing of written warnings instead of fines or criminal penalties for those under the age of 21. And that’s good news for cannabis users. [source]
Is Marijuana legal in New Jersey now?
Yes! Adult-use cannabis, also known as recreational marijuana, is legal in New Jersey. Additionally, medical marijuana is legal for all registered patients who live and reside in New Jersey, too.
Legalize it: New Jersey legalization and local decriminalization
Like many states around the country, New Jersey has seen sweeping changes in its marijuana laws over the last decade or so. This forward-thinking progress shines a light on the positive benefits cannabis users have been advocating for over the years.
Today, both medical marijuana and recreational cannabis are legal.
Cultivation and Possession of Medical Cannabis
Are there limits on purchasing MMJ in NJ?
Although medical marijuana is legal in New Jersey, there are limits and rules that medical cannabis patients must keep in mind.
The maximum amount of cannabis MMJ patients are allowed to have is 3 ounces within a 30 day period. Currently, medical marijuana is packaged in 1/4 or 1/8 ounce denominations.
As of 2021, this is the standard, but there are exceptions. New Jersey MMJ patients may have unlimited access to cannabis under a physician’s direction and recommendation.
What about the rules for New Jersey growers and processors?
The latest cannabis legalization laws prohibit all home growing. So, if you’re looking to flex your green thumb and grow your own flower at home, sorry, that’s out of the question — for now.
But we’ve seen changes and amendments made before to The Garden State’s marijuana laws. Recently, New Jersey’s neighbor New York joined the 14 states that have legalized marijuana in allowing home growing. The NY law permits MMJ patients to grow up to six plants at home. [source]
For now, New Jersey medical marijuana cardholders can purchase cannabis from licensed retail dispensaries in the Garden State. Only time will tell if the current NJ legalization will be expanded.
Let’s talk cannabis taxes and fees
At this time a New Jersey state sales tax is applied to each purchase of recreational cannabis.
The Marijuana Legalization Amendment specifies that the state tax rate of 6.625% applies to purchases of recreational marijuana. Additionally, local municipalities across New Jersey are permitted to
impose an extra 2% tax on all recreational marijuana purchases.
In addition to paying a $100 registration fee, New Jersey MMJ patients currently pay 4% in sales tax. But that tax could potentially be eliminated in the next year or two. [source]
Are there any cannabis usage limitations?
Currently, recreational cannabis is legal for adults 21 and older. The current limitations allow adults to purchase and possess up to 170 grams, or 6 ounces, of cannabis. This limitation also extends to some
concentrates (which may be known as “hash”), allowing no more than 17 grams. [source]
Importing and Exporting Cannabis in New Jersey
What should I know about transportation of medical marijuana in New Jersey?
Both New Jersey MMJ patients and caregivers are not permitted to transport medicinal marijuana across New Jersey state lines, even if cannabis is legalized in that state.
There are a few general guidelines to keep in mind when traveling with medical marijuana;
- Always carry your card, driver’s license, and official state identification.
- When traveling, keep your cannabis in its original packaging.
- Only travel with small amounts of cannabis when absolutely necessary. [source]
What are the most recent New Jersey medical marijuana laws and drug DUI laws?
In New Jersey driving under the influence is illegal. Consumption of medical marijuana and recreational marijuana is permitted in private (think: home.) and, some Garden State dispensaries offer consumption
spaces for their patients.
Currently, smoking medical marijuana has the same regulations as smoking tobacco and falls under New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act of 2006, which prohibits smoking in shared, public spaces.
So, you might be asking yourself, can I go to a dispensary without a medical card in New Jersey?
And the answer is, not yet.
While recreational use of cannabis is completely legal in the state of New Jersey, you must have a New Jersey medical marijuana card to purchase cannabis from a medical marijuana dispensary.
Medical marijuana cards give NJ patients the freedom to purchase marijuana from state-licensed Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs) as well as licensed cannabis dispensaries.
Who qualifies for a card?
Qualifying patients have to schedule an appointment with their physician, or an advanced practice nurse licensed to prescribe cannabis for medical use.
What’s next?
A physician will meticulously review your medical history and determine whether or not you are eligible to become a medical marijuana patient and obtain your card.
Qualifying conditions include:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Anxiety
- Cachexia, or wasting syndrome
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Dysmenorrhea
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn’s disease
- Intractable skeletal muscular spasticity
- Migraines
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Nausea and vomiting
- Opioid use disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Seizure disorder, which includes epilepsy
- Terminal cancer or illness, if a physician determines a patient has less than 12 months to live
- Tourette syndrome
Qualified patients must register with the state patient registry, the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program, in order to receive a state-issued ID card from the New Jersey Department of Health.
After all the necessary paperwork is complete and registration is finalized, New Jersey medical marijuana patients over the age of 18 can legally purchase cannabis from Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs) and licensed cannabis dispensaries in the Garden State.
The New Jersey medical marijuana card also protects patients from being charged for marijuana possession by law enforcement under New Jersey’s current cannabis laws.
Where can you legally buy medical marijuana in New Jersey?
Medical marijuana is available at licensed retail dispensaries and Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs) across New Jersey. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission currently oversees New Jersey’s medical cannabis programs and ultimately decides where cannabis can be sold.
What’s next for New Jersey?
Both medical marijuana patients and recreational cannabis users in New Jersey and across the country have greater access to safe marijuana and regulated cannabis products than ever before. With the speed at which laws have already been passed and amended, there may be new laws and regulations that come into the public conversation, or appear on the ballot, right here in the great state of New Jersey, and beyond.
Source:
- According to The Official Web Site for The State of New Jersey “Alternative Treatment Centers”
- According to The Official Web Site for The State of New Jersey “Tobacco Control”
- According to The Official Web Site for The State of New Jersey “Guidelines for Patients and Caregivers”
- According to the Federation of Tax Administrators “Status of State Taxation/Sales of Marijuana”
- According
to The Official Web Site for The State of New Jersey “Governor Murphy
Signs Legislation to Dramatically Reform New Jersey’s Medical Marijuana
Program, Expand Patient Access” - According to Medicines Patent Pool, “Gov. Murphy signs three bills ending cannabis prohibition in N.J.”
- According
to New Jersey Legislature “ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR ASSEMBLY,
Nos. 1897 and 4269 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 219th LEGISLATURE” - According to New Jersey Legislature “SENATE, No. 3582 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 219th LEGISLATURE”
- According to New Jersey Legislature “SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 183 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 218th LEGISLATURE”
- According to New Jersey Legislature “SENATE, No. 88 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 212th LEGISLATURE”