What is the Marijuana law in New Jersey?
Much has changed over the last decade when it comes to cannabis law. Marijuana possession, sale and manufacture remain technically illegal in New Jersey on both the state and federal level.
Laws related to its legal use in New Jersey will continue to evolve.
This past January marked 10 years since Governor Jon Corzine signed the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act into law, making it 14th state to allow medical marijuana.
Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance—a category reserved for substances with a high potential for abuse and no generally recognized medical value.
The evolution continues, and laws continue to be defined and redefined. Criminal violations, such as driving while intoxicated (DWI), probation and loss of employment for a positive drug test are some of the issues that arise from the conflict in state and federal laws.
Medical Marijuana and DWI
As in most states, New Jersey takes a hard line when it comes to DWI offenses. First time offenders, in the case of alcohol, are subject to license suspension and must install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle. The State also takes a conservative position when it comes to cannabis use, including that of MMJ.
New Jersey Title 39 is clear, allowing any amount of marijuana within a person’s blood test as evidence of DWI. Further, the law prohibits a person from operating a motor vehicle with marijuana or THC present in a person’s blood stream despite the legalization of medical marijuana for prescribed use.
What To Do if You Get Charged with Marijuana Related Crime?
It is a crime to knowingly or intentionally possess marijuana, cultivate cannabis or selling marijuana in New Jersey. Penalties vary according to the amount possessed. Second and subsequent convictions may be punished more harshly.
Get Legal Help
If you have been charged with a marijuana-related offense, contact us! As an experienced criminal defense attorney, we understand the penalties and consequences of a marijuana charge are governed by statutory law, and that can change at any time.
Only a local criminal defense attorney can tell you how cases like yours tend to be handled by prosecutors and judges in your courthouse. Contact us today!
