New Jersey

Overview

New Jersey voters approved adult-use cannabis in 2020, and retail sales began in April 2022. Adults 21+ may possess up to six ounces. Home cultivation is not allowed for adult-use or medical consumers, making New Jersey one of a few adult-use states with a home-grow ban. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission licenses retailers and consumption areas and runs the medical program. Municipalities may opt out of hosting cannabis businesses.

Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.

What's Legal

Public consumption is prohibited; consumption is allowed on private property and at licensed consumption areas.

Possession Limits

6 oz

Home Growing

Not permitted

Driving and Cannabis

Driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal in New Jersey, as it is in every state, whether or not the cannabis was obtained legally. Officers may rely on field sobriety tests, drug recognition evaluations, and blood tests, and some states set specific THC limits or zero-tolerance rules. Consuming cannabis in a vehicle and carrying open or unsealed packages where the driver can reach them are commonly prohibited. If you have used cannabis, the safest choice is not to drive.

Crossing State Lines and Federal Law

Taking marijuana across state lines is illegal under federal law, even between two states where cannabis is legal, and it may also violate the law of the state you enter. Marijuana is also prohibited on federal land, in national parks, and at airports under TSA jurisdiction. In 2026 the federal government moved FDA-approved products and state-licensed medical marijuana to Schedule III, but adult-use marijuana remains a Schedule I substance, and rescheduling does not legalize interstate transport. Separate federal changes to the legal definition of hemp take effect in late 2026 and will restrict many intoxicating hemp-derived THC products.

Official Resource

Cannabis laws change often, and limits, penalties, and program rules can differ from what is summarized here. This page is general information, not legal advice. Before you rely on any detail, check the official state source below or consult a licensed attorney in New Jersey.