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Have you tried NJ’s legal weed yet? Besides its mouth-watering delicacies and pristine nature, the Garden State is 420-friendly. Residents and visitors enjoy privileges rare in most other US states. From lower sales taxes to increased possession quantities, enthusiasts love it here.
The journey to legalize cannabis in New Jersey began in 2010. Since then, the state has had its fair share of approvals and cancellations. Medical cannabis surfaced with a boom thanks to a rigorous legal framework. Recreational cannabis followed suit over a decade later.
To what extent is marijuana legal in New Jersey? How much can you buy, possess, and consume? Are there cultivation restrictions? Join us to discover this unfolding legal journey, the latest laws, and what to do with marijuana seeds.
History of cannabis legalization in New Jersey
NJ weed has come a long way. This state made headlines for some of the highest weed-related arrests in 2013 and 2017. This spike went against the national trend. By 2007, most of the USA had relaxed similar arrests except for the Garden State.
In 2010, the outgoing NJ governor approved the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. This law authorized medical marijuana for patients with qualifying conditions like:
- Glaucoma
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- Multiple sclerosis
- Chronic pain
- Seizure disorders
- Muscular dystrophy
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Migraine
- Anxiety
- Tourette Syndrome
The New Jersey Department of Health can expand this list as necessary. Caregivers may collect medical cannabis on their patient’s behalf. The state designates them after passing a criminal background check.
In 2013, New Jersey expanded its medical marijuana program to accommodate qualifying minors. The first state-approved dispensary opened in 2012. By 2015, there were over 5,000 registered patients. The launch of more dispensaries pushed this number above 11,000 in 2017.
July 2019 saw a further expansion of the medical cannabis landscape. The Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act became law. It paved the way for more legal dispensaries and allowed patients to get more cannabis.
This new law also allowed visiting patients to buy medical weed in NJ for up to six months. It went further to phase out the initial state sales tax on all medical weed products. As of 2022, the state has removed this levy entirely, so long as you buy from licensed dispensaries.
Attempts to legalize recreational marijuana in NJ between 2018 and 2019 proved futile. The state moved the matter to the ballot in 2020, and 67% of voters approved it. This milestone opened up the adult-use marketplace massively.
Full legalization of adult-use cannabis didn’t happen until February 2021. By April 2022, recreational cannabis sales by licensed retailers began. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission rolled out this plan with seven medical cannabis businesses.
What are the marijuana laws in New Jersey?
Enjoying legalized marijuana in New Jersey comes with responsibility. For starters, you must satisfy these conditions to obtain a medical marijuana card:
- Be 18 years and above
- Be a New Jersey resident
- Be recommended by a physician registered in the medical cannabis program
- Be diagnosed with a qualifying condition by this physician
Visiting patients applying for a temporary card must provide ID proof. They must also present a copy of their active registration in their state’s cannabis program.
Medical cannabis patients may smoke in public if it’s a smoking zone. Despite this privilege, they’re subject to the state’s Smoke Free Air Act. NJ bans smoking on federal buildings or land. Also, you can’t smoke in a moving private car.
Operating aircraft, automobiles, or machinery under weed’s influence is illegal. Also, you can’t transport your stash across state lines.
NJ doesn’t allow you to mail weed, even to states where it’s legal. Return any unwanted medical weed to an alternate treatment center than risk arrest.
Recreational marijuana in New Jersey is legal for adults aged 21 years or older. This permission accommodates residents and visitors.
You can buy cannabis from dispensaries licensed by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Check this agency’s website for legitimate sellers.
Restrictions and limits
Does the Garden State allow you to grow CBD seeds? Can you sell cannabis to your friends? Do property owners meddle with your consumption?
Enjoying cannabis in NJ has varying restrictions for recreational and medical cannabis. Below are applicable possession, cultivation, and consumption limits.
How many grams of weed can I possess in New Jersey?
Initially, medical weed patients could possess up to 2 ounces (57 grams) of weed. This limit moved to 3 ounces (84 grams) in 2019.
Qualifying patients or their caregivers can buy this much weed for up to 30 days. Your physician determines the precise dosage within this period. These maximum limits don’t apply to terminally ill patients in NJ.
You can possess up to 1 ounce of recreational marijuana (dried flower) in this state. The equivalent of this measure is:
- 4 grams of marijuana resin or concentrate
- 4 grams of marijuana oil or vaporized formulations
- 1,000 milligrams of combined marijuana edibles
The Garden State charges sales tax for recreational but not medical cannabis. The latter then becomes cheaper. Extra charges like the social equity excise fee may also apply to adult-use cannabis.
Can I grow cannabis in New Jersey?
Currently, you can’t grow cannabis legally in New Jersey, not even for medicinal use. Patients and their caregivers can’t have a cannabis plant at home. You can only get your supply from state-licensed alternate treatment centers or dispensaries.
What can you do with your cannabis seeds in New Jersey? How about stashing them as souvenirs, all while observing maximum possession thresholds?
Is recreational marijuana legal in New Jersey?
Want to knock your socks off with THC? Recreational weed is legal in NJ, but you can’t carry more than 1 ounce at a time.
Smoking in private spaces is legal, but landlords may regulate weed use on their property. You may vape, smoke, or enjoy edibles in dispensaries approved for onsite use.
Employers reserve the right to ban marijuana at work. They may demand a drug test if you compromise due processes or workplace safety.
NJ allows you to gift another adult 21 years or older up to 1 ounce of weed. You can’t accept payment or compensation in return, as it amounts to a sale.
Where can I buy cannabis seeds legally in New Jersey?
Growing medicinal or recreational marijuana in NJ is illegal. State dispensaries don’t stock marijuana seeds but only consumables.
Despite this restriction, all is not lost. You can purchase cannabis seeds online at the Seed Supreme bank. Choose from a wide array of CBD and THC-rich seeds. Store them safely as souvenirs until the state legalizes cultivation.
Key takeaways
New Jersey is among the most recent states to legalize medical and recreational weed in the USA. The former is accessible to adults over 18 years old, while the latter is for those over 21 years old.
Minors with qualifying clinical conditions can also acquire NJ legal weed. Both weed categories are open to visitors.
Medical marijuana patients enjoy larger quantities than their recreational counterparts. Using marijuana in any form is illegal in federal spaces. Driving while high is punishable by law. Also, you can’t exceed state-prescribed possession limits.
At the moment, NJ doesn’t allow cannabis cultivation at home. You can only buy cannabis products from licensed state dispensaries. The Garden State has a promising atmosphere for cannabis enthusiasts. Check out our most potent seeds for when the state permits cultivation.
Frequently asked questions
Legalized weed in New Jersey is a relatively new reality; many are yet to embrace it. Below are the common questions we get.
What happens if you get caught with weed in NJ?
New Jersey weed is legal for up to 1 ounce for recreation and 3 ounces for medical use. Exceeding these limits could attract fines and imprisonment. Possessing or consuming weed is illegal if you’re under 21 years old.
Can you smoke weed in your backyard in NJ?
Yes, smoking weed in private spaces is legal in New Jersey. Check with the property owner if you’re renting. They may ban weed consumption as they deem necessary.
