New to the wonderful world of weed? Visiting friends and family from out of state? If so, you may need a little help decoding our state’s cannabis laws so you can confidently explore the bounty of buds New Jersey has to offer. Not to worry, because Aunt Mary’s is here to map out your cannabis journey so you can navigate your weed enjoyment with ease, and legally!
Our expert budtenders dig helping people from all walks of life to understand and stay in tune with New Jersey’s different legal requirements around cannabis. Whether you want to know how to score a state medical marijuana card or have questions about buying from our dispensary, we’ve got answers! Let’s get started with some basics, so you can toke in pleasure and comfort!
NJ Weed Laws: What’s Legal and What’s Not
For a long time, marijuana was something people only whispered about, and they certainly didn’t come by it over the counter. But with today’s laws changing across the country, it may feel a little hard to keep up. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to chill with a little cannabis in our great state.
Is Marijuana Legal in New Jersey?
Good news, friends—the answer is yes, both recreational and medical marijuana are legal in New Jersey! In fact, we’ve been leading the way in cannabis use for years.
New Jersey legalized marijuana for medical use in 2010 under the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, followed by the Medical Marijuana Program, which kicked in as of August 2012. Recreational use was made legal through the Marijuana Legalization Amendment, which was approved by voters in 2020, passed by the legislature, and then signed into law by the governor in 2021.
Now, adults aged 21 and older can legally purchase recreational cannabis at a licensed dispensary. Both adults and minors with a qualifying medical condition can apply for a medical cannabis license.
Are Edibles Legal in New Jersey? What You Need to Know
Edibles are also legal here, but it’s only recently that a wide variety of edible types became available. For years, New Jersey’s laws were quite strict about edibles in order to prevent accidental use by children.
Since September 2024, though, these restrictions have been greatly relaxed, meaning you can enjoy tasty THC non-noms like baked goods, candies, chocolates, butters, jams, gummies, and drinks. (Yum!) These products must be shelf-stable and clearly labeled with nutrition information, warning labels, expiration dates, and child-resistant packaging.
In NJ, legal edibles can’t contain alcohol or nicotine. Foods are restricted to 10 milligrams of THC per serving, while drinks are limited to 5 milligrams per serving. At Aunt Mary’s, our weed sherpas will happily guide you through our recreational menu or medical menu to find you the best fit for your needs and tastes.
Where Can You Legally Smoke Weed in NJ?
Even though weed use is permitted in New Jersey, there are still some laws that dictate where you can and can’t use it.
Legal Places to Smoke Weed in NJ
While our state has relaxed the use of weed in a lot of ways, you’ll still need to be careful. It’s illegal to smoke or vape cannabis in public places like parks and streets, as well as any place where tobacco isn’t allowed, such as venues that are covered by New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act.
And while weed technically can be smoked or consumed in private places, that’s only if the property owner allows it. If you rent or are visiting someplace (like an Airbnb or VRBO), you’ll need to comply with the owner’s restrictions, too.
What Happens If You Smoke in a Restricted Area?
Smoking or vaping weed in public or in restricted spaces is a civil violation under the Smoke-Free Air Act. If you’re caught, you’ll be facing a fine of anywhere from $250 to $1000.
Who Can Buy and Possess Weed in New Jersey?
Ah, a big question that it’s wise to know the answer to! Keep this in mind:
Age Limits and Purchase Restrictions Under NJ Weed Laws
Adults age 21 and up can buy recreational weed, while medicinal use is allowed for both adults and children as long as they have a qualifying condition, such as cancer, glaucoma, migraines, seizures, and other conditions formally diagnosed by a healthcare practitioner registered with the New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program.
How Much Weed Can You Legally Possess in NJ?
It’s cool to have up to 6 ounces of marijuana in your possession at any given time, for any purpose, recreational or medicinal. If you’ve got more than 6 ounces, that’s a fourth-degree indictable offense that can lead to up to 18 months in prison and a $25,000 fine. Pretty serious stuff!
To help you stay within those legal bounds, dispensaries (like us) are restricted to selling only up to one ounce of cannabis at a time. Each time you make a purchase, you can walk away with up to (but not more than) an ounce of dried flower, 4 grams of solid cannabis resin, 4 grams of liquid cannabis concentrate, 4 grams of cannabis oil, or 1000 milligrams of packaged ingestibles such as gummies. Product types can be combined as long as the total amount of weed you’re buying is no more than an ounce.
The Future of NJ Weed Laws
Upcoming Changes to Marijuana Regulations in New Jersey
Currently, there are efforts being made to expand what is permitted in New Jersey around marijuana use. Applications are being accepted for a greater variety of cannabis consumption areas (such as micro cannabis lounges), so it may soon be easier to find a place to partake outside your own private residence.
There are also some proposed bills with the legislature seeking to allow home cultivation of marijuana plants, which is currently illegal in New Jersey. If one or more of these bills pass, it may soon be possible for recreational users to have up to 6 plants and medicinal users to have up to 10 plants. Stay tuned!
Where to Buy Legal Weed in New Jersey
Under the law, you can only buy your supply at licensed dispensaries (like Aunt Mary’s!). And while this might sound like a bit of a drag at first glance, that’s a good thing because licensed dispensaries carefully curate their selection so you can count on quality, third-party tested cannabis products that are safe to consume.
Visit Aunt Mary’s Dispensary for Premium Cannabis
If you’re ready to enjoy high-quality cannabis flowers, edibles, and other products that are legal and third-party tested, too, we’re here to help you find your vibe with ease! Explore our menus to Shop Legal Weed in New Jersey and contact us anytime with questions. Or, visit us in-person to chat with any of our knowledgeable budtenders about NJ weed laws and the right cannabis products for you. We’ll see you soon!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is based on personal opinions, research, and reports from other sources. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.
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