Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Frequently Asked Questions

Cannabis

An amendment legalizing cannabis became part of the state constitution on January 1, 2021, and enabling legislation and related bills were signed into law by governor Phil Murphy  on February 22, 2021.  

Only medical cannabis can be legally purchased at this time. Medical cannabis is only available for registered qualifying patients and must be purchased from an authorized Alternative Treatment Center (ATC). 

Regulated recreational cannabis is currently not available. After licenses are awarded by the NJCRC and cannabis businesses are operating, adult consumers 21 years of age or older will be able to purchase recreational cannabis items from licensed recreational cannabis businesses. 

You can find general cannabis information on the Cannabis Regulatory Commission website.

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) is the governing body responsible for regulating the existing Medicinal Cannabis Program, as well as the new recreational cannabis program in New Jersey for adults 21 years and older. The agency launched on April 12, 2021, and establishes the rules necessary for the operation of cannabis businesses in the state.

You can find answers to frequently asked questions about the Cannabis Regulatory Commission on their website.

The CRC holds regular public meetings. View upcoming CRC meetings or view information about previous CRC meetings on their Public Meetings webpage.

Under the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act, New Jersey’s Medicinal Cannabis Program (previously the Medicinal Marijuana Program) helps registered patients under the care of licensed medicinal practitioners safely access cannabis-based medicine from regulated and monitored facilities.   

As part of medicinal treatment, patients receive cannabis orders from their doctor or other health care practitioner of up to 3 oz for every 30-day period. Cannabis orders are filled at one of the state-licensed Alternative Treatment Centers (ATC) across New Jersey. Patients unable to travel to an ATC may designate and register caregivers to make purchases on their behalf.  Learn more about the Medicinal Cannabis program and many online resources.

The CREAMM Act is the law that authorizes the CRC to expand and further develop the current Medicinal Cannabis Program, as well as develop, regulate, and enforce the rules and activities associated with recreational cannabis for adults 21 years or older. The Act also addresses other important issues related to cannabis: 

  • The Act requires the State courts and law enforcement to expunge people’s records for certain prior marijuana-related offenses; 
  • The Act directs the State Legislature to reinvest revenue from cannabis sales to initiatives such as financial support for individuals in Impact Zones; and 
  • The Act requires the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to adopt minimum standards to protect the health of medicinal patients and recreational consumers. 

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission issues licenses for medicinal and recreational cannabis business operations in New Jersey. Each business requires a license, which must be active and in good standing, to perform any commercial cannabis activity, including: 

  • Growing cannabis plants 
  • Storing cannabis and cannabis products 
  • Making cannabis products 
  • Transporting or delivering cannabis and cannabis products
  • Selling cannabis and cannabis products 
  • Testing cannabis and cannabis products 

Learn more about the application process. 

CRC has created a community toolkit which is a library of informational downloadable pdf documents for communities to share in print and on social media. Toolkit documents include: Legal Cannabis in NJ, Safe & Responsible Use, FAQs for Municipalities, and Pregnancy and Cannabis.

 

 

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