Cannabis in New Jersey is legal for both medical and recreational purposes. An amendment to the state constitution legalizing cannabis went into effect on January 1, 2021, and on February 22, 2021, the enabling and related laws were signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy. The start of recreational marijuana sales in New Jersey will take place on April 21, after the state`s Cannabis Regulatory Commission on Monday approved applications from seven medical marijuana dispensaries, officially known as alternative treatment centers, to also sell adult weed. Legalizing marijuana isn`t just a popular political move for voters — it`s a good deal. States that have legalized marijuana have generated more than $10 billion in cannabis tax revenue since licensed sales began in 2014, Fortune reported in January. At the Apothecarium, hidden between a smoothie bar and a café in Maplewood, hundreds of people came to buy weed legally in New Jersey for the first time, a stone`s throw — or a bridge or tunnel — from New York City. Far fewer are on the East Coast and New Jersey is among the first to begin recreational sales. New York, where recreational cannabis was legalized last year, has yet to launch a licensed recreational market. Recent opinion polls have found that New Jersey voters are divided on the issue of legalization, with supporters having a slight advantage. In 2015, the Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics conducted a public opinion poll of New Jersey residents and asked them if they supported legalizing, taxing and regulating marijuana use.
Of the respondents, 33% supported the idea “strongly”, 26% “somewhat” the idea, 12% “slightly against” the idea and 27% “strongly against”. [12] A 2018 Reuters-Eagleton poll showed similar results, with 58% supporting the full legalization of “possession and personal use of recreational marijuana” and 37% opposing it. [13] The state legislature attempted to legalize cannabis during its 2018-2019 session, but without success. Instead, lawmakers presented the question to voters as a referendum on the 2020 vote. Known as the New Jersey Public Question 1, the referendum passed with 67% approval. Following the adoption of Question 1, Parliament passed legislation on the creation of a recreational market in December 2020. [1] [2] [3] Instead, 4/21 was the culmination of years of efforts to legalize marijuana in the state. Much of the cannabis taxes and sales fees will go to black and Latino neighborhoods that have been affected by marijuana-related arrests in the past. Disagreements between the governor and legislature over the lack of penalties for minors in cannabis decriminalization legislation led to the postponement of the effective date of cannabis legalization from January 1 to February 22, and police continued to regularly arrest residents for marijuana-related offenses during that time.
[4] On April 21, 2022, the authorized sale of recreational cannabis began. [5] In 2013, New Jersey police made 24,765 arrests for possession of small amounts of marijuana, the highest number in two decades. The number of arrests in 2013 was twice as high as in 1993, when the state`s population was smaller. The increase in arrest rates was at odds with the national trend that began in 2007 and saw a decline in arrests for marijuana possession. [6] New Jersey arrested 34,500 people for cannabis-related offenses in 2017, more than any other state in the country. [7] The CRC has also introduced a consumption levy for social justice, a levy for culture that is expected to increase with falling consumer prices, the funds of which are used for educational support, economic development and social support services in impact areas. [67] At least 18 other states and Washington DC have now legalized recreational marijuana, with a total of 37 states allowing the purchase of medical marijuana. The first licensed dispensaries will be able to sell recreational marijuana starting April 21. Negotiations in December 2018 and January 2019 focused on the marijuana sales tax rate and regulatory oversight. [45] In March 2019, efforts to legalize marijuana in New Jersey failed because Murphy and Sweeney failed to convince a majority of senators to support the legislation. [44] New Jersey has officially signed the start of the sale of adult marijuana. Here`s where (and when) you can get it.
Nick DeMauro, a former police detective from Bergen County, New Jersey, said legalizing recreational marijuana could “send a mixed message to young people who say, `If adults can do it, why can`t we?` Legally permitted product categories include dried flowers, concentrated oils, resin, vaping formulas, tinctures, topicals, syringes, lozenges and soft chews, but availability varies from pharmacy to pharmacy. Perishable foods such as cookies and brownies are not available at any pharmacy. Is it illegal to drive to the ground? Yes. Disability driving laws apply to the influence of cannabis. Governor Murphy signed the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act, which legalizes and regulates the use and possession of cannabis for adults 21 years of age and older, and decriminalizes the possession of marijuana and hashish, A-1897 (P.L.2021, c.19). Initially, only in medical marijuana dispensaries that receive authorization to sell to the public. Medical dispensaries are not allowed to sell recreational cannabis immediately until they have been approved by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC). Because these pharmacies are already in operation, the approval process for the sale of weed for recreational purposes is much shorter.
The opening of new cannabis dispensaries will take a few more months. The legalization of cannabis generally falls into two groups of laws and regulations: the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes and legalization for recreational purposes. Will pharmacies keep records of what I buy? Pharmacy staff must see a government-issued ID card to ensure customers are 21 years of age or older. You may not make copies of your ID or keep records of your purchase beyond what is necessary to complete this one-time financial transaction. Clients are free to voluntarily provide their information for client programs such as mailing lists. Under New Jersey`s new laws, recreational cannabis customers can legally purchase up to one ounce of marijuana per sale for smoking; or up to five grams of concentrates, resins or oils; or 10 packs of 100 milligrams of edibles. The new rules have identified three types of cannabis businesses that will be prioritized and approved in the application process:[67] Under state law, it is illegal to possess more than six ounces at any one time, and it is illegal to drive with heavy marijuana use. Because federal law still prohibits possession of marijuana, New Jersey buyers cannot legally transport it out of state.
Scutari introduced new legislation legalizing, regulating and taxing recreational marijuana on June 7, 2018, the New Jersey Marijuana Legalization Act. Stephen M. Sweeney is a competitor. [41] In November 2018, a joint legislative body of New Jersey (composed of members of the Assembly and senators) passed Bill S-2703 as well as separate statutes expanding the process of abolishing the state, including for drug-related offenses (S-3205). [26] Under Bill S-2703, possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana and consumption of marijuana at home or in designated areas would become legal; a 12% sales tax on marijuana would be collected; and New Jersey municipalities would have the power to impose an additional 2% tax. [26] For those who have traveled far to queue at one of these places, they will have to wait until they are back home to shine. As of Thursday, the only place where it is legal to smoke weed in the state is your own residence. Thursday, 21. In April, the recreational use of cannabis was legalized throughout New Jersey, allowing anyone 21 or older to legally purchase marijuana. Can I take my purchase home in another state? No. It is still illegal to transport cannabis across state borders.
New Jersey voters approved cannabis legalization for the first time in a referendum in 2020. A year later, state lawmakers, under Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, legalized recreational use and purchases, processed pharmacy requests, and established regulations for the burgeoning industry. However, opponents of legal marijuana have raised concerns about the potential dangers of legalizing recreational marijuana. Enrollment in the medical marijuana program was initially low, attributed to costs, rigid program restrictions and the “small number of doctors willing to refer patients,” as well as opposition to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie`s program, who in 2014 called the medical program a “front for legalization” of marijuana. [15] In 2011, New Jersey was described as the strictest medical marijuana law among the 16 states that allowed medical marijuana at the time. [16] Another problem is that don`t eat weed in cars, even if you`re just hitchhiking.