The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (NJCREAMMA) is a piece of legislation signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy on February 22, 2021. The law establishes a framework for the regulation, sale, and taxation of adult-use cannabis in the state of New Jersey. It followed the approval of Public Question 1 by New Jersey voters in November 2020, which amended the state constitution to legalize the possession and use of cannabis for adults 21 years of age and older.
Key provisions of the NJCREAMMA include:
- Regulatory framework: The Act establishes the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC), a body responsible for overseeing the regulation, licensing, and enforcement of the state’s adult-use cannabis industry.
- Licensing: The CRC issues licenses for various types of cannabis businesses, including cultivators, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, and delivery services.
- Possession and purchase limits: Adults aged 21 and older can legally possess up to 6 ounces (170 grams) of cannabis or its equivalent in other forms, such as edibles or concentrates.
- Consumption: Cannabis consumption is allowed on private property with the consent of the property owner. Public consumption is prohibited, as is consumption in vehicles or any area where smoking is not allowed under the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act.
- Taxes: Cannabis sales in New Jersey are subject to a state sales tax. Local municipalities may also impose additional taxes on cannabis sales within their jurisdictions.
- Social equity: The Act contains provisions to promote social equity in the cannabis industry, such as prioritizing licenses for businesses owned by individuals from communities disproportionately impacted by past cannabis prohibition and enforcement.
- Expungement: The legislation includes provisions to facilitate the expungement of certain past cannabis-related convictions to help individuals rebuild their lives following the legalization of adult-use cannabis.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this article or would like to consult with an experienced New Jersey cannabis lawyer about your situation, please contact us at (973) 383-2700 for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.
