Marijuana is Officially Legal in the State of New Jersey

February 22, 2021

Monday, February 22, 2021: a date that New Jersey residents will forever note as the day that marijuana officially became legal. While the legalization of marijuana has been in talks for a while, now that it’s finally here, what exactly does it mean? Can you still be arrested for marijuana possession? Will your criminal record automatically be expunged? Continue reading to find out what you should expect now that marijuana is officially legal in the state of New Jersey.

Can I Smoke Marijuana Without Getting Arrested?

Technically, yes – but there are limits as to how much marijuana you can legally possess without having to fear getting arrested. Under the law Governor Phil Murphy signed into effect, New Jersey residents can legally possess up to six ounces of cannabis. This means that you can legally smoke marijuna in private residences such as your home, however, you will not be permitted to smoke on public transportation or wherever drinking alcohol is prohibited.

Can I Grow My Own Marijuana?

No, you can’t. Even though you may be able to legally possess up to six ounces, there is no provision under these new laws that will allow New Jersey residents to grow their own marijuana for either recreational or medicinal purposes.

When Will I Be Able to Buy Marijuana in NJ?

According to Governor Murphy, you should be able to legally purchase marijuana in six months, however, industry experts believe it will take the Garden State much longer to get started. This is due to how many people in New Jersey are currently using marijuana for medicinal purposes — about 8,882,190 according to recent statistics provided by the Marijuana Policy Project.

Industry experts want to ensure that there is enough supply to cover those who need marijuana to help aid with the pain caused by existing medical conditions before expanding it to others for recreational use.

What if I Was Arrested for Marijuana Possession? Will My Record Be Expunged?

This is the biggest concern those who previously served time for marijuana possession have at the moment. As it stands, any pending marijuana charges have been thrown out. A new system is being developed to vacate prior marijuana possession convictions so that criminal records can be expunged, however, only time will tell when this new system will go into effect. If you have a criminal record and you need help getting an expungement, the criminal law lawyers at Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC can help. Give our law firm a call today at (908) 325-5571 or schedule a consultation with us over the web.

Contact An Experienced Scotch Plains Criminal Defense Attorney About Your Drug Possession Charges In New Jersey

Have you been charged with a drug crime in New Jersey? A criminal conviction could leave you with a permanent record, and it could result in your driver’s license being suspended for a very long time. That is why it is imperative that you speak with a qualified criminal defense lawyer about your case. The lawyers at Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC represent clients charged with prescription drug offenses, intent to distribute and related offenses in New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, Paterson, Clifton, and throughout New Jersey. Call (908) 325-5571 or fill out our confidential online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office located at 1827 East Second St., Scotch Plains, NJ 07076, in addition to offices located in Westfield, Newark, East Brunswick, Clifton, Cherry Hill, and Elizabeth.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.