In New Jersey, cannabis is legal for recreational use, and the start of adult-use sales was hailed as historic. The state is rolling in the revenue while New Jerseyans are also reaping the benefits.
Flower, concentrates, and… New Jersey edibles? That’s where it gets a little complicated.
Many cannabis consumers prefer edibles because they’re a healthier alternative to smoking, have a more potent effect, and last longer. But, are edibles legal in New Jersey?
Elevate Holistics is here to investigate the edibles in NJ mystery and explore other New Jersey cannabis laws and questions such as, can you buy edibles in New Jersey?
So, what’s really going on with edibles in The Garden State? Let’s find out.
Is Cannabis Legal in New Jersey?
In November 2020, NJ residents voted to approve recreational cannabis. And as of April 21, 2022, one day after the canna-community holiday, New Jersey cannabis became legal for adult use.
Adults 21 or older can buy cannabis products (more on “Jersey edibles New” below) from medical dispensaries with clearance to sell for recreational purposes.
However, the state is implementing strict restrictions on cannabis purchasing, possession, and consumption.
New Jersey law refers to the regulated form of weed as cannabis, while the unregulated – black market – form is marijuana.
New Jersey Marijuana Possession Limits
Lawmakers have legalized possession of up to six ounces of weed, but you can only purchase a limited amount of cannabis legally at a time.
The purchase limit is as follows:
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- One ounce of cannabis flower
- Four grams of solid cannabis concentrates or resin
- The equivalent of four grams of concentrate in liquid form
- Four grams of vaporized formulations like cannabis oil
- 1000mg of ingestible cannabis-infused products like gummies
Where Can You Smoke Cannabis in New Jersey?
The only place you can legally smoke weed in New Jersey is in your private residence.
However, your landlord can prohibit cannabis use on their property.
Can You Grow Cannabis in New Jersey?
Even though medical and recreational cannabis are legal in New Jersey, it is illegal to grow cannabis at home.
If you grow even just one cannabis plant, you face three to five years in prison and a fine of $25,000.
New Jersey DUI Laws
Driving while high is illegal and could result in a cannabis DUI. Remember that cannabis can stick around in your system.
So, even if you are not currently high, the police could still charge you for cannabis DUI if they believe the presence of cannabis in your system impaired your ability to drive safely.
If you’re convicted for driving under the influence of cannabis in New Jersey, you face the following penalties:
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- $300 to $500 in fines
- Jail sentence of up to 30 days
- License suspension of up to one year
- 12 to 48 hours of education at an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center
It is also illegal to consume cannabis in the car, even if you’re a passenger.
And if you plan on traveling, note that taking New Jersey cannabis across state lines violates federal law and could be penalized accordingly.
Now, let’s get to the burning question – are edibles legal in New Jersey? Now that adult-use cannabis is legal, are edibles legal in New Jersey for purchase?
Where Can You Buy Edibles in New Jersey?
New Jersey residents can buy cannabis flower, concentrate, and ingestible non-food cannabis products like syrups, pills, tablets, chewables, and capsules.
According to state law, selling traditional edibles in NJ is a punishable offense.
This means that perishable New Jersey edibles that “resemble food” – like cookies or brownies – are unavailable.
However, cannabis products like certain gummies and lozenges are for sale. The specific cannabis products available vary by dispensary.
Typically, edibles are a booming category of the cannabis market, but with complex restrictions surrounding edibles, New Jersey isn’t able to fully tap into that category of the cannabis industry.
The limitations also give consumers fewer choices when it comes to purchasing cannabis.
Edibles are a prominent sector of weed products for cannabis consumers who don’t want to smoke or vape, which is often the older generation or those who rent their residence.
They are the fourth most popular cannabis category in the US and are growing in popularity yearly, according to the cannabis analytics firm Headset.
The cannabis industry expects edibles to reach a whopping $3 million in sales across the US this year.
Regardless of the figures, the laws regarding edibles in New Jersey are a little complicated, but what exactly are edibles?
What Exactly Are Edibles?
Edibles refer to any food product infused with cannabis or cannabis extracts.
You can add cannabis to many foods, like chocolates, brownies, gummies, lozenges, beverages, and more. (New Jersey edibles include gummies and lozenges.)
Unlike smoking weed, the effects of edibles can take much longer to kick in.
While inhaling cannabis can produce nearly immediate effects, consuming edibles may take 1-3 hours until you feel anything. That’s why you have to be careful with your dosing.
The effects may hit you hard out of nowhere if you consume too much.
So, When Will New Jersey Legalize Edibles?
Marijuana consumers may soon be able to buy edibles in New Jersey as state lawmakers have proposed regulations that will lift the ban on “edible products resembling food.”
The proposed new legislation will update New Jersey marijuana law to allow the production of baked goods, butter, drinks, and other cannabis-infused edibles.
The proposal can’t be approved till December 2023, but licensed marijuana manufacturers in the state can apply for a waiver.
Jeff Brown, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission Executive Director, said, “These waivers will allow for some immediate expansion of edible products in both the medicinal market, which is critical, as well as the adult-use market. These will enable us to start approving some products.”
When edibles do hit the shelves, they will have a limit of 10 milligrams of THC per serving, while drinks will be capped at 5 milligrams.
Now that we’ve gone over New Jersey edibles let’s hear about the hefty chunk of change the state is now making in cannabis sales.
New Jersey Recreational Cannabis Sales
According to the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission, almost 12.5K customers bought nearly $2 million worth of recreational cannabis products on New Jersey’s first day of recreational cannabis sales.
Recreational dispensaries generated $24 million in the first month of legalization.
That start of adult-use sales was referred to as “historic” as New Jersey recreational cannabis sales matched New Mexico’s. The Land of Enchantment brought in almost the exact same amount of revenue on its adult-use launch day.
Still, consumers have been utilizing the medicinal market, with about 64,000 ounces of MMJ products dispensed to patients and caregivers in the past month.
As of early 2023, there are over 60 cannabis dispensaries in New Jersey, and that number is only expected to rise over time.
These dispensaries are required to put policies in place so that patients are prioritized and able to get their medicine first.
The state continually monitors dispensary inventory so that patient access and supply are not affected.
With the opening of recreational dispensaries in New Jersey, you no longer have to ask yourself, “Do I need a medical card to buy at a dispensary in New Jersey?” Nope! As long as you’re at least 21, you’re all set. (Just make sure you have your ID on you.)
Cannabis Social Equity in New Jersey and Other Perks
Overall, states that have legalized cannabis for adult use have garnered more than $10 billion in cannabis tax revenue since licensed sales began in 2014.
On top of the tax revenue gained from legalizing cannabis, this also creates thousands of jobs, and social equity programs to help those affected by the war on drugs.
Legal New Jersey cannabis comes with two state taxes and a local tax: a municipal tax, social justice excise fee, and sales tax.
The largest portion of this revenue will go to “impact zones” where cannabis laws have been most enforced.
New Jersey officials say that taxes from cannabis sales will be allocated to communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition.
And as the price of cannabis goes down, the “social justice excise fee” will increase.
Get Better, More Affordable Weed in NJ With a Medical Card
Cannabis may be legal in New Jersey, but the benefits of having a medical card in the Garden State are unlike any other.
Simply put, if you want to save money, get high-quality products, and experience priority service, it’s time to get a medical card.
With a New Jersey MMJ card, you don’t have to pay nearly as much in taxes, and you’re always a priority within dispensaries and in the case of a state cannabis shortage. You also have a higher possession limit than your adult-use friends do.
But, how do you get your NJ MMJ card? Through Elevate Holistics, of course.
Our telehealth team is here to make the process as simple — and as affordable — as possible. You can get your card for under $150, and the entire process will take less than 30 minutes. Plus, you can book same-day or throughout the weekend. The choice is yours.
Are you ready to experience the beauty of medical edibles and other canna-products? Click here to book an appointment today.
