Cannabis Regulatory Commission

Recreational Cannabis in New Jersey

New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization (CREAMM) Act allows for the legal sale and use of cannabis and cannabis products for residents 21 years and older. The newly adopted NJ-CRC rules establish the recreational (or "adult-use") cannabis industry in the state.

Is cannabis the same as weed?
Yes. The flower and the psychoactive products made from the flower of cannabis plant is often called weed, reefer, Mary Jane, broccoli, and other names. While marijuana is also a popular term for cannabis, New Jersey law makes a legal distinction between cannabis and marijuana.  In short, cannabis refers to the regulated form of the plant (what is grown, bought, and sold by New Jersey state-licensed cannabis businesses) and marijuana refers to the unregulated form of the plant (what is grown, bought, and sold in the illicit market).

Who can buy?
Anyone - New Jersey residents or visitors - 21 years and older. 

Where can I buy?
At any of the New Jersey licensed cannabis dispensaries listed in our dispensary finder.

What can I buy?
In each transaction, dispensaries are allowed to sell up to the equivalent of 28.35 grams or 1 ounce of usable cannabis. That means up to:

  • 28.35 grams (1 ounce) of dried flower, or
  • 4 grams of solid cannabis concentrates or resin, or the equivalant of 4 grams of concentrate in liquid form (solution in milliliters), or
  • 4 grams of vaporized formulations (oil), or
  • 1000 mg of multiple ingestible cannabis-infused products (10 100 mg packages) like gummies

A purchase of a combination of products may be 14.17 grams (1/2 ounce) of dried flower and 2 grams of concentrate, or 5 packages of gummies and 14.17 grams (1/2 ounce) of dried flower.

Cannabis Equivalence Chart

Legally allowable product categories include dried flower, concentrated oils, resin, vape formulas, tinctures, topicals, syringes, lozenges, soft chews, and shelf-stable food products but availability will vary by dispensary. 

How much weed am I allowed to have on me?
New Jersey state law allows adults 21 years and older to have up to 6 oz of cannabis and cannabis products in their possession.

an eighth of weed

An eighth refers to a common weight measurement used when selling cannabis. It equates to one-eighth (1/8) of an ounce by weight, which is approximately 3.5 grams.

a quarter of an ounce of weed

A quarter refers to a common weight measurement used when selling cannabis. It equates to one-quarter (1/4) of an ounce by weight, which is approximately 7 grams.

a half an ounce of cannabis

A half refers to a common weight measurement used when selling cannabis. It equates to one-half (1/2) of an ounce by weight, approximately 14 grams.

How much will I pay?
Prices will vary by location and by product. All transactions are subject to New Jersey sales tax of 6.625% plus a social equity excise fee of 1/3 of 1%.

Will dispensaries be keeping records of what I buy?
Dispensary personnel will need to see a government-issued identification card to ensure purchasers are 21 years or older.  They are not allowed to make copies of your ID or retain record of your purchase beyond what is required for the completion of that single financial transaction. Customers are free to voluntarily provide their information for customer programs - like mailing lists.

Can I take my purchase back home to another state?
No. It is still illegal to transport cannabis across statelines.

Can I give my friends cannabis as a gift?
Yes. You may give up to 28.35 grams (1 ounce) of cannabis to another adult 21 years or older. You may not accept any form of payment or compensation for the gifted cannabis.

Is it illegal to drive while high?
Yes. Laws regarding driving while impaired apply to being under the influence of cannabis.

Where can I smoke my cannabis?
You may smoke in private spaces, however landlords may prohibit cannabis use on their property. Cannabis smoking is allowed where cigarette smoking is permitted, unless stated otherwise.

You can also consume legal cannabis at licensed dispensaries with consumption areas.

How old do you have to be to get into a consumption area?

Every patron must be at least 21 years of age with photo identification to enter a consumption area.

Will consumption areas sell food and alcohol?

No. Consumption areas cannot sell food or beverages of any kind. Patrons may bring or order in food and drinks, but no alcohol.

Can I bring tobacco products into a consumption area?

No. Patrons may not bring in or consume tobacco products of any kind while inside a consumption area.

Can I bring my own weed or joints to a consumption area?

The rules regarding cannabis depend on whether patrons are bringing in medical or personal-use products. Patients must be allowed to take their medicinal cannabis into consumption areas. However, dispensaries can prohibit recreational users from bringing in their own cannabis. Dispensary operators must also make a good faith effort to ensure that only regulated cannabis items are allowed in the consumption areas.

Do budtenders have the right to stop serving me if they think I’ve had too much?

Yes. Everyone’s tolerance level for cannabis is different. Dispensary operators and staff are required to make every effort not to overserve cannabis consumers – just as bartenders are required to do for bar patrons.

Can I leave the consumption area with unused cannabis product?

Similar to open container laws for alcohol, patrons are not allowed to leave a consumption area with open packages of cannabis. If the packaging is not resealable, the consumption area must provide take-home containers that comply with all packing requirements, or the product must be thrown away.

 

REMEMBER: Use cannabis and cannabis products safely and responsibly.