Legal cannabis sales begin today in New Jersey

It's a big day for New Jersey's 8 million residents. In this U.S. state right next to New York, 16 stores are officially authorized to sell cannabis for adults. And it's a classic for everyone opening day : The lines are long. Some customers arrived during the night so they could buy their favorite products as soon as the store opened at 6 a.m.

Long lines at the first two legal marijuana dispensaries on opening day in #nj #njweed #njcannabis video via @DiVix3nation pic.twitter.com/I89buMWS97

— Jessica Beym (@jessbeym) April 21, 2022

As a nod to the occasion, state officials chose April 21 to kick things off, the day after 4/20, the International Cannabis Smokers' Day. «That's really awesome! If I get pulled over on my way home and a police officer asks me if I have any drugs, I could tell him, »Just this,'", "It's fun," says Michael, a consumer interviewed by ABC News.

«This marks the end of the second Prohibition», referring to the prohibition of alcohol in 1920, says Ben Kovler, the owner of a dispensary, with delight. He’ll be able to sell his first customers one ounce (28 grams) of flower, 5 grams of concentrates, or 1,000 mg of’edibles. However, perishable items such as flavored cakes are prohibited.

At first, prices will likely be low. In fact, the New Jersey Will Not Impose Heavy Taxes on Cannabis, at least initially. 6 % will be collected on each sale, in addition to the 2 % in municipal taxes. 70 % of these taxes will go to those affected by the cannabis ban, particularly Black people.

Cannabis Tourism for New Yorkers

In the state, 16 stores are authorized to sell cannabis. This is a boon for the state, as it is currently the only one among its neighbors to do so.

In fact, neither New York, Pennsylvania, nor Delaware has (yet) a legal recreational cannabis market within their borders. In New York, sales must begin by 2023 ; in Pennsylvania and Delaware, Only medical cannabis is permitted. Residents of neighboring states will therefore be able to take the train or drive there for «cannabis tourism.».

It’s ironic, because New Jersey is often viewed in American culture as a boring state. For most city dwellers, it’s the very definition of a residential suburb where nothing ever happens, populated by a not-very-intelligent middle class.

To attract these newcomers, several stores in New Jersey are located near the major metropolitan areas of New York and Philadelphia. However, customers will not be allowed to cross state lines with cannabis. In Pennsylvania, for example, possession of less than 30 grams is punishable by a fine and 30 days in prison.