On February 22, 2021, New Jersey became the 14th state to legalize the recreational use
of cannabis for adults -residents and visitors- over the age of 21. Since then, New Jersey has
become home to 106 dispensaries. These dispensaries can be split into 54 being recreational, 12
being medical, and 40 being medical and recreational. To find out more about the locations of
these dispensaries, go to https://data.nj.gov/stories/s/ggm4-mprw.
To help regulate cannabis in New Jersey, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission was
instated. According to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, the amounts that are legally
allowed to be sold in a transaction. The total amount is 28.35 grams or 1 ounce of usable
cannabis. This means one can purchase 28.35 grams or 1 ounce of flower, 4 grams of solid
cannabis concentrates or resin, 4 grams of oil or vapes, or 1,000 mg of ingestible cannabis.
Each sale of cannabis is subjected to the NJ sales tax of 6.625% plus a social equity
excise fee of 1/3 of 1%.
The dispensaries carry products range of flowers, oils, solid concentrations, and edibles.
Oils can be vapes or CBD oils. Solid concentrates include resin or wax. Edibles are now
available as gummies, mints, chocolate, caramels, and soft tablets.
Privacy is maintained throughout the entire process of purchase. Dispensaries that deal
with medical customers have certain policies in place to protect those with conditions. Policies
that prohibit people from making calls or taking pictures in the dispensary. The only time
identification is needed is to ensure that each purchase of cannabis is legal, dispensary staff need
to see a valid form of government-issued ID, which can be a State ID or Driver's license.
Medical dispensaries cater to a wide range of customers. According to the Cannabis
Regulatory Commission, the Medical Cannabis Program contains a total of around 85,672
participants, 5,243 caregivers, and 1,533 doctors. Much to a surprise, the number of the medical
cannabis program has dropped over the years. In January 2021, the program had around 101,229
participants. From January 2021 to February 2024, the program lost 15,557 participants.
The medical program helps people with many different conditions, such as anxiety,
depression, PTSD, chronic pain, and migraines, and helps positive status of HIV and AIDs, as
well as many other conditions.
To become a participant in the medical cannabis program, there are a few steps. These
steps include finding a participating healthcare practitioner. After getting an Authorizing
Provider Statement from your healthcare provider, you can set up an account to complete the
application with reference and registry ID numbers. Find an Alternative Treatment Center to be
able to purchase doses needed from treatment. A recent fully front facing photo is needed when
setting up the account. Proof of New Jersey Residency is needed, this can be a current New
Jersey government-issued ID or two proofs of residency. Lastly, a payment of $10 is needed to
pay for a Medical Cannabis Program ID Card.
These cards are only valid for two years at a time.
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