New Jersey
Regulatory Framework
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) is the state agency responsible for regulating and overseeing both the adult-use and medical cannabis markets [1]. The NJ-CRC operates within the Department of Treasury [2].
As of 2024, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture had no role in cannabis regulation, but did manage the state hemp program [3].
Legal Status
| Market | Status | Statute | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult-Use | Legal | Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement, Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (CREAMM) | 2021 [4] |
| Medical | Legal | Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act | 2019 [5] |
| Homegrow | Not Legal |
Track-and-Trace
Both adult-use and medical cannabis in New Jersey are tracked through Metrc, a seed-to-sale tracking system [6].
Licensing
With no cap on cannabis licensing, NJ-CRC continues to accept applications for various recreational license types [7]. However, as of September 2024, NJ-CRC is not accepting applications for new medical cannabis licenses [8].
| License Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Class 1 Cultivator | Allows cultivation of cannabis plants [7]. |
| Class 2 Manufacturer | Allows processing and manufacturing of cannabis products [7]. |
| Class 3 Wholesaler | Allows wholesaling of cannabis products to licensed retailers [7]. |
| Class 4 Distributor | Allows transporting cannabis products between licensed businesses [7]. |
| Class 5 Retailer | Allows retail sale of cannabis products to consumers [7]. |
| Class 6 Delivery Service | Allows delivery of cannabis products from a licensed retailer to a consumer [7]. |
| Testing Laboratory | Allows laboratory testing of cannabis products for quality and safety [7]. |
Possession Limits
Adults 21 and older can possess up to 6 ounces of cannabis products in total, regardless of the product type (flower, concentrates, edibles, etc.) [9].
Medical Cannabis
Patients can register with the NJ-CRC to use medical cannabis if they have a qualifying medical condition and a physician's recommendation. Qualifying conditions as of 2024 are: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Anxiety, Cancer, Chronic pain, Dysmenorrhea, Glaucoma, Inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn’s disease), Intractable skeletal muscular spasticity, Migraine, Multiple sclerosis, Muscular dystrophy, Opioid Use Disorder, Positive status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Seizure disorder, including epilepsy, Terminal illness with prognosis of less than 12 months to live, and Tourette Syndrome [10].
Registered patients can designate up to two caregivers who must also register with the NJ-CRC. If a caregiver isn't a member of a patients immediate family they have to submit fingerprints as part of a background check [11].
Additional Resources
- Wikpedia: Cannabis in New Jersey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_in_New_Jersey
- New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission https://www.nj.gov/cannabis/
References
- [1] "Homepage." NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission. https://www.nj.gov/cannabis/ (Accessed September 16, 2024).
- [2] "Governor Murphy Signs Legislation to Dramatically Reform New Jersey's Medical Marijuana Program, Expand Patient Access." New Jersey Office of the Governor. https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562019/20190702d.shtml (Accessed September 16, 2024).
- [3] "Industrial Hemp Program." New Jersey Department of Agriculture. https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/nj_hemp.html (Accessed September 29, 2024).
- [4] "Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act." New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. https://www.nj.gov/oag/dcj/Cannabis%20Legalization%20A21.PDF (Accessed September 29, 2024).
- [5] "PL 2019, Chapter 153." New Jersey Legislature. https://pub.njleg.gov/bills/2018/PL19/153_.HTM (Accessed September 16, 2024).
- [6] "Resolution for Statewide Tracking System." New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. https://www.nj.gov/cannabis/documents/meetings/2022-01-07/010721%20Resolution%20for%20Statewide%20Tracking%20System%20%202022_2%20w_sig.pdf (Accessed September 16, 2024).
- [7] "Recreational Cannabis Businesses." New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. https://www.nj.gov/cannabis/businesses/index.shtml (Accessed September 16, 2024).
- [8] "Medicinal Cannabis Businesses." New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. https://www.nj.gov/cannabis/businesses/medicinal/ (Accessed September 29, 2024).
- [9] "FAQs - General." New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. https://www.nj.gov/cannabis/adult-personal/ (Accessed September 29, 2024).
- [10] "Medical Cannabis Program." New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. https://www.nj.gov/cannabis/medicinalcannabis/ (Accessed September 29, 2024).
- [11] "Caregivers." New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. https://www.nj.gov/cannabis/medicinalcannabis/caregivers/ (Accessed September 29, 2024).