Your guide to cannabis consumption areas

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With New Jersey’s first cannabis consumption areas now opened and more endorsements being approved, legal places for adults 21 and older to use cannabis outside the home are on the rise. These spaces provide safe, regulated environments, but it's essential to follow the rules and safe-use practices so we can keep only the good vibes rolling.

• No one under 21 is allowed.
• You cannot use alcohol or tobacco products on-site.
• Dispensaries cannot sell food, but consumption areas can have menus for delivery, and food trucks may operate outside in compliance with local laws.
• Service may be denied if you appear impaired.
• You can consume any cannabis you buy in the dispensary. (Medical patients can bring their own labeled cannabis, but recreational users may face restrictions.)
• You cannot leave a consumption areas with open cannabis packages. Use dispensary provided resealable containers or discard any uncontained cannabis.
• You must know your limits. Don’t feel pressured to consume more and never pressure others.
• Drink water and eat beforehand to prevent unwanted effects.
  Wait 45 minutes to 2 hours to feel full effects before consuming more.
• Never drive while you are impaired. Use a rideshare, taxi, or public transport. Driving impaired is dangerous and illegal.

Safety and compliance matters

One of the NJ-CRC's priorities while licensing businesses is the health and safety of the public. Its mission includes ensuring the safety of cannabis for consumption, providing clear information for responsible use and storage that also protects those who don't consume, and deterring use among vulnerable populations - like children.

The Commission enforces strict product testing, packaging requirements, and restrictions on marketing that might reach minors.

When businesses violate regulations, the Commission can issue warnings, fines, license suspensions, or even revoke licenses to operate. Some violations are improper labeling, not following quarantine procedures, not checking IDs, and not properly tracking and tagging cannabis plants, allowing onsite consumption.  Contaminated products can result in recalls.

You can help keep yourself and others safe by reporting violations you observe to the NJ-CRC. Here are some red flags that may indicate a violation:

• Products without proper labeling, including production information, THC ratio, warning logo

• Dispensaries handing out free samples

• Packaging designed to appeal to children (such as cartoons in designs)

• Dispensaries refusing to provide a receipt

• No one is checking ID at entry

• Products are easily accessible

If you encounter any of these issues, you can file a formal complaint by emailing crc.compliance@crc.nj.gov.

Visit the Violations and Enforcement page to see past violations and enforcement action.

The NJ-CRC Board voted to approve the items below. Access the meeting slides on the Public Meetings page for more.

Cannabis business considerations

The Board approved:

• 5 conditional-to-annual conversion licenses
  • 4 retailers
  • 1 delivery
•  5 annual licenses
  • 2 manufacturers
  • 3 retailers
• 2 cannabis consumption area endorsements
• 16 annual license renewals

Check out the CRC High Points podcast below