Camden County Cannabis – Is It Legal & Where To Buy 2024

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Camden County?

Yes, cannabis cultivation is legal in Camden County and in the entire state of New Jersey. To cultivate cannabis, businesses are required to get Class 1 Cannabis Cultivator licenses from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC). Also, they can only cultivate cannabis in localities that allow it. The license will not be given if the municipality has opted out of allowing cannabis businesses within its borders.

The Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act (CUMMA) of New Jersey first allowed in 2010 the use and sale of medical cannabis for qualified patients aged 18 and older. The state’s medical marijuana program was expanded in 2019 by the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act.

The Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization (CREAMM) Act of New Jersey approved on February 22, 2021, the use of recreational cannabis for adults aged 21 and older within the state. In Camden County, 172,531 voted yes and 56,667 voted no on the amendment. The medical and recreational use of cannabis and the cannabis industry is now regulated by the New Jersey CRC.

The CREAMM allows New Jersey municipalities to set their own regulations regarding cannabis businesses based within their borders. However, municipalities cannot stop the delivery of cannabis to consumers and the passage of cannabis deliveries through their territories. In Camden County, 18 localities approved the possibility of having retail cannabis businesses and three localities approved the possibility of having non-retail cannabis businesses.

There are 13 licensed cannabis cultivators in New Jersey. The Class 1 Cannabis Cultivator license authorizes the holder to plant and harvest recreational cannabis. It also authorizes the holder to sell to other licensed cannabis cultivators, licensed cannabis manufacturers, licensed cannabis wholesalers, and licensed cannabis retailers.

Licensed Class 1 Cannabis Cultivators can grow marijuana indoors or outdoors. Outdoor growing is, however, subject to approval of the municipality. Facilities for marijuana cultivation must be completely secure.

Licensed Class 1 Cannabis Cultivators are required to comply with all CRC regulations on the propagation of cannabis seeds and immature plants, as well as best practices in the cannabis industry, and state public health and safety standards. The CRC may control the number of immature cannabis plants that each licensed cultivator can own, as well as the size of the grow canopy to be used.

Each licensed cannabis cultivator must, upon scheduling of the CRC, submit samples representative of their plants to a CRC-licensed third-party testing facility. The licensed testing facility may also make unscheduled visits to the cultivating facility and take random samples for testing. Results of the tests shall be submitted to the CRC.

Licensed cannabis cultivators are required to accurately record the number of cannabis immature plants, flowers, and ounces of leaves produced at specific production dates. They must also accurately record the number of cannabis immature plants, flowers, and ounces of leaves sold at specific dates.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Camden County?

Yes, cannabis manufacturing is legal in Camden County and in the entire state of New Jersey. To manufacture cannabis, the CREAMM requires businesses to get Class 2 Cannabis Manufacturer licenses from the New Jersey CRC. Also, they can only manufacture cannabis in localities that allow it. The license will not be given if the municipality has opted out of allowing cannabis businesses within its borders.

There are eight licensed cannabis manufacturers in New Jersey. All of them are also licensed cultivators.

Each licensed cannabis manufacturer must, upon scheduling of the CRC, submit samples representative of their products to a CRC-licensed third-party testing facility. The licensed testing facility may also make unscheduled visits to the manufacturing facility and take random samples for testing. Results of the tests shall be submitted to the CRC.

Licensed cannabis manufacturers are required to ensure that all cannabis products are in special opaque child-resistant packaging with accurate labels. The labels must include the following information:

• Type or strain of cannabis content
• Net weight
• License number of the cannabis cultivator where the cannabis was grown
• Production batch and lot number of the cannabis item
• Growing method used for the cannabis
• A complete list of nonorganic herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides used
• License number of the cannabis manufacturer for cannabis products
• Production date and expiration date
• For cannabis products: active cannabis ingredients and a list of all other added ingredients
• For cannabis products: a complete list of ingredients that are potential allergens
• For cannabis products: serving size, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in each serving, total number of servings in the package, and total THC content in the package
• Indicate if the product requires refrigeration
• Instructions on how to safely use cannabis
• Warnings on the dangers of cannabis overuse or misuse
• Nationwide toll-free telephone numbers of poison control centers

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Camden County?

Yes, cannabis retail is legal in Camden County and in the entire state of New Jersey. To sell cannabis, the CREAMM requires businesses to get Class 5 Cannabis Retailer licenses from the New Jersey CRC. Also, they can only sell cannabis in localities that allow it. The license will not be given if the municipality has opted out of allowing cannabis businesses within its borders.

Licensed cannabis retailers can sell marijuana to anyone who is 21 years old and older, even without a medical marijuana card. To purchase, buyers must present any legitimate ID card that indicates their age. The retailer is required to verify the age of the buyer through the ID before finalizing the sale.

There are seven licensed cannabis retailers for personal use in New Jersey. There are 12 medical cannabis dispensaries that are also licensed cultivators in the state. In Camden County, there are two dispensaries.

Edible cannabis products allowed for saleby licensed cannabis retailers are limited to tablets, pills, capsules, chewable forms, and syrups. Edible products that resemble food, such as brownies and cookies, are not allowed. For vape cartridges, the CRC limits allowable additives and prohibits those that have been proven to be harmful.

Licensed cannabis dispensaries are required to add to the cannabis item label the dispensary name and license number.

Each licensed cannabis dispensary is allowed to have one cannabis consumption area, either within the enclosed dispensary or as an exterior structure that is still within its premises. Consumers can consume items purchased from the dispensary or items they have brought with them.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Camden County?

Yes, cannabis delivery is legal in Camden County and in the entire state of New Jersey. To deliver cannabis, the CREAMM requires businesses to get a Class 5 Cannabis Retailer license or a Class 6 Cannabis Delivery license under the New Jersey CRC. Both licenses will not be given if the municipality has opted out of allowing cannabis businesses within its borders. These licensed cannabis retail or delivery businesses can, however, deliver cannabis purchases to any area within New Jersey and pass through any municipality to do so.

As of 22 August 2022, applications for Class 6 Cannabis Delivery licenses have not yet been opened by the CRC. This license authorizes the holder to deliver cannabis products on behalf of licensed retailers to the residences of consumers.

Using their own personnel, licensed retailers are also authorized to deliver cannabis to the residences of consumers within New Jersey. This covers both temporary or rented residences. Delivery is not allowed, however, to any residence located on land or in a building owned or leased by the Federal government. Licensed retailers can charge a delivery fee not exceeding 10% of the pre-tax amount for each order.

Cannabis can be delivered to anyone who is 21 years old and older, even without a medical marijuana card. To purchase, buyers must present any legitimate ID card that indicates their age. The retailer is required to verify the age of the buyer through the ID upon placement of the order. The buyer’s age must be verified again through the ID when the product is delivered in person.

The retailer is required to log the following information for every cannabis delivery:

• The recipient’s name, address, and signature
• Date and time of delivery
• The delivery personnel’s name and Cannabis Business ID card number
• The name, amount, batch/lot number, and tracking number of the Cannabis item
• A confirmation of the buyer’s photographic ID verification

When doing cannabis deliveries, the licensed retailer’s personnel must have their Cannabis Business ID Card with them. While in transit, the cannabis product must be kept secure in a locked box. The delivery vehicle must be tracked by the licensed retailer through GPS. Upon arrival, the delivery personnel must hand over the cannabis product in person to the buyer. Leaving the product in a mailbox, dropbox, or any similar receptacle is not allowed.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Camden County

To be eligible to get a medical marijuana card in New Jersey, one has to be a state resident with at least one the following conditions:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Anxiety
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Dysmenorrhea
• Glaucoma
• Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
• Intractable skeletal muscular spasticity
• Migraine
• Multiple sclerosis
• Muscular dystrophy
• Opioid Use Disorder
• Positive Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Seizure disorder, including epilepsy
• Terminal illness with a prognosis of less than 12 months to live
• Tourette Syndrome

A physician registered with the New Jersey Medical Cannabis Program (NJMCP) must certify the patient’s condition. Patients can search for registered physicians online, whether by specialization or by location.

After diagnosing the patient, the physician will provide a reference number. The patient will use this to register online. Following are the requirements:

1. A full-face photo that must have been taken within the last 60 days
2. A government-issued photo ID
3. Proof of residency in New Jersey in addition to the government ID
4. The preferred Alternative Treatment Center (ATC) or dispensary for purchasing medical cannabis
5. A standard registration fee of $100 to be paid online

The registration fee is reduced to $20 for the following:

• Senior Citizens
• Military Veterans
• Medicare recipients
• NJ Medicaid recipients
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients
• NJ Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) recipients
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability (SSD) recipients

After completing the online registration, the patient must wait for the email confirming approval. It will prompt the patient to login and pay the fees. The medical marijuana card will then be mailed to the patient.

Patients who are minors are not allowed to purchase medical cannabis at ATCs and dispensaries. Minors and patients who are unable to physically go to ATCs or dispensaries must register up to two caregivers in the same registration portal. The caregivers will be given medical marijuana cards to purchase cannabis for the patients.

How Has Cannabis Legalization Impacted the Economy of Camden County?

The CREAMM was passed in February 2021. However, it was only on April 21, 2022, that retail sales began. The CRC News and Events page reports that there was a total of $1.9 million in gross cannabis sales across 12 licensed dispensaries on that day alone.

Medical cannabis sales were also high. The previous day, 5,400 ounces of medical cannabis were sold across the state. Another 5,400 ounces were sold from April 22 to 26 throughout New Jersey.

According to the CRC, from April 21 to the end of June, total sales of recreational cannabis has already reached $79,698,831. That has yielded total tax revenue of $4,649,202, including Social Equity Excise Fees of $219,482.

The sales tax for recreational cannabis is 6.625%, according to the New Jersey Treasury’s Taxation publication on cannabis businesses. The sales tax on medical marijuana was removed on July 1, 2022. Before that, there was also a 6.625% sales tax for medical marijuana.

The municipalities in Camden County that allow the presence of retail or non-retail cannabis businesses can levy the following taxes, as appropriate:

• 2% on every sale by a licensed cannabis retailer
• 2% on every sale by a licensed cannabis cultivator
• 2% on every sale by a licensed cannabis manufacturer
• 1% on every sale by a licensed cannabis wholesaler

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Camden County

The CUMMA was passed in 2010. The Camden Sheriff’s Office reported on the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer that drug abuse violations increased from nine in 2009 to 86 in 2020. Among those, drug sales or manufacturing arrests increased from none to 39, and drug possession arrests increased from nine to 47. Specific marijuana possession arrests increased from one to five, and marijuana sales arrests increased from none to two. Meanwhile, DUI arrests increased from none in 2009 to eight in 2020.