New Jersey Marijuana Compliance

In New Jersey, marijuana is legal for recreational and medicinal use, as long as residents abide by New Jersey marijuana compliance guidelines.

New Jersey marijuana laws require medicinal marijuana users to have a diagnosis of at least one of the qualifying medical conditions.

Recreational marijuana laws in New Jersey require residents to be at least 21 years of age to use the drug recreationally. However, marijuana remains illegal under federal law, so it's important to become familiar with marijuana state vs. federal guidelines.

For employers, there are specific rules dictated by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act. Employers cannot take adverse action against a worker solely because of the person's use of cannabis outside of work hours or because of a positive test for cannabinoids.

However, employers may still maintain drug-free workplace policies. Reasonable suspicion drug testing for marijuana use in the workplace and post-accident testing is still permitted. Federal contractors must still comply with federal laws and regulations regarding marijuana use.

To register for a drug test, simply sign up using the button below. To register via phone, or if you have any questions, we can be reached at (888) 378-2499.

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This Information Is Not Intended for Legal Purposes

The information provided on this page is intended for your own knowledge, and should not be used for legal matters. Since marijuana testing regulations can vary, we advise you to seek the guidance of expert legal counsel when creating your company's substance abuse screening program.

New Jersey Marijuana Compliance

New Jersey Marijuana Laws

Overall Status: Fully Legal

In New Jersey, both medicinal marijuana and recreational marijuana are legal, as long as marijuana users follow New Jersey marijuana compliance laws.

Medical Marijuana: Legal

Medicinal marijuana is legal for registered users in New Jersey. To become registered, patients must be diagnosed with at least one of the qualifying medical conditions. New Jersey marijuana compliance allows for medicinal marijuana users to possess up to three ounces of marijuana per month. Home cultivation is not allowed in New Jersey. Out-of-state residents with medicinal marijuana cards may bring their marijuana into New Jersey for up to six months.

Decriminalized: Yes

Marijuana possession in small amounts has been decriminalized in New Jersey. There is also no penalty for the first offense of distribution of less than one ounce. In addition, there are no penalties for the possession of up to six ounces. Prior criminal records related to minor marijuana violations are expunged.

Recreational Marijuana: Legal

There are recreational marijuana laws in New Jersey that allow the use of recreational marijuana for adults ages 21 and older.

Last updated 1/15/2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Marijuana is legal in New Jersey for both recreational and medical purposes, as long as New Jersey marijuana compliance guidelines are followed. Recreational marijuana users must be adults ages 21 and older. An individual using medical marijuana must be a registered user and possess a medicinal marijuana card.

Are there any unique laws about marijuana in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, it is a misdemeanor to fail to turn in marijuana to a police officer or to be under the influence of marijuana, whether driving or not.

What is New Jersey's history with marijuana?

In 2010, medicinal marijuana became legal in New Jersey. In 2019, New Jersey's governor signed into law Jake's Law, expanding the state's medical marijuana law. The law was named after a pediatric patient that used medical marijuana while battling cancer. In February of 2021, recreational marijuana became legal in New Jersey. New Jersey was the fourteenth state to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

What is the punishment for possession in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, there is no penalty for the possession of six ounces or less of marijuana. More than six ounces is a crime that results in 1.5 years of jail time and a fine of $25,000. There are additional fines and community service for the possession of marijuana within 1,000 feet of school grounds.

The cultivation of marijuana is a crime in New Jersey, punishable with three to 20 years of jail time and fines of up to $300,000.

Drug Tests That Exclude Marijuana

Urine Drug Panels That Do Not Include Marijuana Testing

Some of the popular drug tests that remove THC from the panel of drugs being tested are listed below:

Also try taking a look at our comprehensive list of urine drug panels that exclude marijuana. Drug tests that do not include marijuana testing can be found under the "Exclude Marijuana" section.

Hair Drug Tests That Do Not Include Marijuana Testing

To remove marijuana testing from a hair test, try one of our two popular hair tests:

For a complete list of our hair drug tests, take a look at our comprehensive list of hair tests.

Drug Panels That Include Marijuana

Urine Drug Tests That Include THC Testing

If marijuana testing is needed, the below urine drug panels include testing for THC:

For a complete list of urine drug panels that we offer, view our urine drug panels here.

Hair Drug Panels That Include Marijuana Testing

The following are hair drug tests that include testing for THC:

A comprehensive list of the hair drug panels that we offer can be found here.

Citations

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"New Jersey Extends Employment Protections To Recreational Marijuana Using Employees (US)." The National Law Review, 2 March 2021, https://www.natlawreview.com/article/new-jersey-extends-employment-protections-to-recreational-marijuana-using-employees
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"Cannabis Legalization." New Jersey State League of Municipalities, https://www.njlm.org/969/Cannabis-Legalization#:
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"New Jersey Medical Marijuana Law." NORML, https://norml.org/laws/medical-laws/new-jersey-medical-marijuana-law/
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"New Jersey Laws and Penalties." NORML, https://norml.org/laws/new-jersey-penalties-2/
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Corasaniti, Nick. "Murphy Starts to Expand Access to Medical Marijuana in New Jersey." New York Times, 23 January 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/nyregion/new-jersey-medical-marijuana.html
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"New Jersey." Marijuana Policy Project, https://www.mpp.org/states/new-jersey/
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"Marijuana Officially Legal in New Jersey." JDSupra, 8 April 2021, https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/marijuana-officially-legal-in-new-jersey-3909192
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"A5981 [1R] HOLLEY, QUIJANO." New Jersey Legislature, https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/A9999/5981_R1.PDF
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"Assembly, No. 20 – State of New Jersey, 218th Legislature." New Jersey Legislature, https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/A0500/20_I1.HTM