Marijuana is legal in New Jersey for recreational and medicinal purposes. The state legalized medical cannabis in 2010, while recreational marijuana was a more recent development. After New Jersey voters voted to legalize recreational cannabis in 2020, legal sales began in 2022.

Marijuana Laws in New Jersey

As of 2023, New Jersey allows medical patients and recreational users to access various forms of cannabis products. Still, some notable restrictions apply to both patients and adult-use consumers. For instance, cultivation is not allowed, and traditional edible products are prohibited in the state’s medical or recreational programs.

Medical Cannabis Laws

Medical cannabis was legalized in New Jersey in 2010. Then-Governor Jon Corzine signed several bills into state law on his last day in office, including Senate Bill 119, the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, permitting the use of medical cannabis. The state’s medical program allows patients with proper certification to purchase up to 3 ounces of cannabis in 30 days. Specific quantity limits may, however, vary based on a patient’s specific condition and needs. Minors may also participate in the program with a caregiver’s permission.

Patients are not currently allowed to cultivate their own cannabis plants, and edibles are incredibly limited. While pills, capsules, and other consumable forms of cannabis are permitted, products that resemble food can not be sold to medical patients or adult consumers.

Recreational Marijuana Laws

Following efforts ranging back to 2017, recreational cannabis was finally legalized in 2020. Sales started in 2022. New Jerseyans 21 or older can purchase 1 ounce of cannabis at one time, although it is unclear if there are limits on how often customers can buy products. Worth noting is that several restrictions that apply to medical patients also apply to the state’s recreational program. For example, cultivation of cannabis plants is not allowed, and allowed edible forms are severely limited.

Currently, delta-8 and other synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids are legal in New Jersey. Some legislators are, however, keen to start banning such products. The bill currently floating through state legislature appears to ban delta-8 specifically. Still, it is possible that, should this piece of legislation pass, other hemp-derived cannabinoids like HHC could be next. For now, it appears as though CBD should be safe for the time being.

And while medical and recreational cannabis are legal in New Jersey, there are still penalties in place for those who exceed the state’s marijuana possession limits. Personal users, for example, can only purchase 1 ounce at a time but can possess up to 6 ounces of cannabis. Those who exceed that number face up to 18 months in prison and a $25,000 fine.

What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in New Jersey

While medical and recreational marijuana use are legal in the Garden State, regulations are subject to change, so it is important to stay informed on the latest developments.

Only Certain Conditions Are Allowed

New Jersey’s medical marijuana program recognizes the following conditions as eligible for receiving medical certification:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
• Anxiety
• Cancer
• Chronic Pain
• Crohn’s Disease
• Dysmenorrhea
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, e.g. Ulcerative Colitis)
• Intractable Skeletal Muscular Spasticity
• Migraine
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Muscular dystrophy
• Opioid Use Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Seizure Disorders, including Epilepsy
• Terminal Illness (with prognosis of less than 12 months to live)
• Tourette Syndrome

Telehealth Is Allowed

New Jersey allows patients to receive their medical marijuana card certification online through a consultation with a healthcare provider like Leafwell.

New Jersey Recognizes Out-of-State Medical Cards

New Jersey has medical marijuana reciprocity. Out-of-state visitors who apply as temporary patients can use their nonrenewable medical cards in New Jersey for up to six months.

Many other states and territories also have reciprocity laws. They include:

• Arizona
• Arkansas *
• Delaware
• Hawaii *
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan (at the dispensary’s discretion)
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma *
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands *
• Utah * (up to two 21-day periods in a calendar year)
• Washington, D.C.

*Visitors must complete a visiting patient application with the state program.

States that have recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older but do not accept out-of-state cards include:

• Alaska
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota (currently only tribal dispensaries)
• Missouri
• Montana
• New York
• Oregon
• Vermont
• Washington

Can You Grow Cannabis in New Jersey?

No, you cannot grow cannabis in New Jersey despite cannabis legalization in the state. Cultivation is not allowed for medical patients or recreational users.

The Bottom Line

Cannabis is legal in New Jersey for medical and recreational use. Both programs have notable limits, such as banned cultivation and edible cannabis not being allowed to resemble food. Still, there are finally a variety of ways for New Jersey residents to treat or manage conditions using cannabis. And recreational users now also have plenty of legal methods for using cannabis.

If you have one or more qualifying conditions, consider making an appointment with Leafwell to receive your med card today.