Is Weed Legal in New York?

Is cannabis legal in New Jersey?

Both medical and adult use of cannabis is legal in New Jersey. N.J. has a medical marijuana program.

What are the medical marijuana laws in New Jersey?

N.J. Medical Cannabis Laws

2010

Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Act SB 119

Governor Jon Corzine signed several bills into law on his last day in office, including S. 119, the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, permitting the use of medical cannabis.

“Medical use” means the acquisition, possession, cultivation, manufacture, use, delivery, transfer, or transportation of marijuana or paraphernalia relating to a qualifying patient’s consumption of marijuana to alleviate the symptoms or effects of the patient’s debilitating medical condition.”

Under New Jersey’s medical-marijuana law, up to six alternative treatment centers receive contracts from the state. These centers, which must be nonprofit, have the exclusive right to produce and sell medical marijuana in New Jersey.

N.J. Recreational Cannabis Laws

2017 – 2019

Legislative debate on recreational cannabis legalization, with efforts to legalize recreational cannabis failing

2020

NJ A21 (20R) legalizes recreational cannabis. The Bill is now passed after clearing up laws regarding underage penalties.

2022

April 21, 2022 – Legal recreational, adult-use cannabis sales begin. Those aged 21 or over may legally purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensary.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in New Jersey?

The New Jersey law lists the following medical conditions as qualifiers for a medical cannabis card:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease (A.D.)
Anxiety Disorders
Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
Cancer
Chronic or Severe Pain
Crohn’s Disease
Glaucoma (if resistant to conventional therapy)
Intractable Skeletal-Muscular Spasticity
Irritable Bowel Diseases (IBDs, e.g., Ulcerative Colitis)
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.)
Muscular Dystrophy (M.D.)
Nausea/Vomiting – Severe
Opioid Dependence
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD, if resistant to conventional therapy)
Seizure Disorders, including Epilepsy (if resistant to traditional treatment)
Terminal Illness (If the physician has determined a prognosis of fewer than 12 months of life)

How do I get certified for medical cannabis in New Jersey?

With Leafwell, you can get your New Jersey Medical Marijuana Card in 4 simple steps:

Register online with Leafwell and speak to a friendly physician – You can talk to a doctor and qualify for an N.J. medical marijuana card online. The cost of the online consultation is $149, and you are only billed if approved.
Receive your doctor’s certificate from Leafwell – This is a certificate that says that your doctor recommends you become a cannabis patient under the state’s current laws. This certificate is required to apply for your MMJ Card.
Complete application on the government website – Enter all your details and submit your physician’s certification to the state government’s website. The cost of the application is $100, payable to the state. Individuals receiving state assistance may be eligible for a reduced fee of $20. The website is the State of New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Program (NJMMP).
Receive your medical marijuana card – If approved, you will receive your medical marijuana card in the mail within 7-10 business days. Please note that Leafwell will not send you the card – the state issues this. Your new card will be valid for two years.

You must be 18 or older to qualify for medical marijuana in New Jersey for yourself, but those under 18 can qualify as minors if they have a caregiver. There was significant controversy in New Jersey regarding medical marijuana for children in New Jersey (“Pot for Tots“), but provisions were made in 2013. It is now possible for those under 18 to qualify for medicinal cannabis in N.J.

A patient certified for medicinal marijuana may elect to have up to two caregivers if needed. A caregiver can be used if a patient’s condition is too severe to the point where they cannot physically go to their alternative treatment center (ATC) alone. Caregivers must be aged 18 or over. Further guidelines can be read here.

“The use of medical marijuana shall be permitted on school grounds, on a school bus, on a field trip, and at a school-sponsored function to authorized students enrolled in Department of Children and Families (DCF) Regional Schools.

As defined in this policy, a parent, guardian, or primary caregiver shall be the only individual who may administer medical marijuana to their child.

A student 18 years of age or older may self-administer medical marijuana according to the conditions of this policy.

Medical marijuana shall be in a non-smokable and non-inhalation form for students.” See here for more information.

Benefits of being certified for medical cannabis and having a valid medical marijuana I.D. card in New Jersey include a special checkout line in dispensaries specifically for medical cardholders; no sales taxes on dispensary purchases; higher purchase limits; fewer restrictions in terms of purchasable THC products; lower age restrictions (18 as opposed to 21); better deals on products at dispensaries; arguably better, more well-developed legal protection.

Get your medical marijuana card

Connect with a licensed physician online in minutes.

Is telemedicine allowed for medical cannabis consultations in New Jersey?

Yes, telemedicine is legal in New Jersey, and you can get certified for cannabis online.

How much cannabis can I possess in New Jersey with an MMJ Card?

For medical card holders = Up to 3 oz. Every 30 days.
For recreational users = Consumers 21 or over may purchase up to one ounce of cannabis or an equivalent amount of cannabis products (5 grams concentrate or 1,000 milligrams of ingestible products such as gummies). An adult can legally possess up to 6 ounces of cannabis, but the purchasing limit is only 1 ounce for recreational users.

Is it legal to grow cannabis in New Jersey?

It is illegal to cultivate cannabis in New Jersey, even if you have a valid medical marijuana card.

Does New Jersey accept out-of-state cards?

New Jersey recognizes medical marijuana cards from other states in the U.S. (including its territories), and New Jersey has medical marijuana reciprocity. Those aged 21 or over with valid I.D.s can now purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensary in New Jersey without a medical marijuana identification card.

Will my New Jersey card be accepted in other states?

A New Jersey medical marijuana card is recognized by some other states with medical marijuana reciprocity, and New Jersey itself is a state that has medical marijuana reciprocity. However, most states do not have such laws on their books.

The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:

Arizona
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
U.S. Virgin Islands
Utah
Washington, D.C.

However, this does not always mean you can purchase cannabis at a medical marijuana dispensary (non-medical adult use is acceptable) – just that the state’s medical marijuana laws protect you to some extent. It is wise to call the dispensary ahead if you are a medical cannabis patient from another state and intend to purchase medical marijuana.

The qualifying condition usually has to match between states, so if your qualifying condition is accepted in one state and not your visiting state, your recommendation is not necessarily valid. You are also accountable to the visiting state’s medical marijuana laws, not the state that issued your card.

The following states accept out-of-state applications, allowing visiting patients to use medical cannabis for the duration of their stay:

Arkansas
California
Hawaii
West Virginia (cancer patients only)

Are there employment laws protecting medical cannabis cardholders in New Jersey?

New Jersey employers may not refuse to hire or take any adverse action against employees based solely on their use (or non-use) of recreational or medical cannabis. An employer may not terminate an employee solely because they fail a drug test due to cannabis use. However, this does not permit cannabis use when at work, and service must not affect safety or performance. State medical cannabis laws do not necessarily protect those who are working under the rules of the federal government.

What are the medical cannabis product testing requirements in New Jersey?

The Alternative Treatment Center permit number (ATC) will be labeled clearly on each sample container. The sample container should also be marked with a description and quantity of its content. In the cannabis laboratory, the samples will be tested for pests, pesticides, mold, heavy metals, and mildew. The ATC that is being tested is required to pay for the cost of all lab analyses.

Where is it safe to purchase cannabis in New Jersey?

In all states with a medical marijuana program, the only way to purchase medicinal cannabis products is via a legally-licensed dispensary or pharmacy or another legally designated space to buy cannabis. Only those with a legal license to sell cannabis can do so. In New Jersey, dispensaries are referred to as “Alternative Treatment Centers.” Recreational cannabis enthusiasts aged 21 or over with valid I.D. may purchase marijuana at a licensed dispensary.

Where is it safe to consume marijuana in New Jersey?

All states with a medical marijuana program have some restrictions on where a person can legally use cannabis. Near schools, nurseries, parks, or other places where children are expected to be, using cannabis is illegal. Use of cannabis on or in federal land or buildings, hospitals, or other such healthcare space is also illegal. Private members’ clubs and landowners may also prohibit cannabis use on their property or restrict it at their discretion.

The safest place to use medical cannabis is in the safety of your own home. It is wise to use common sense, generally keep consumption out of public view, and utilize discreet consumption methods wherever possible.

Legal status

Possession limits

State taxes

Cultivation

To apply for a medical cannabis card in the state of New Jersey