Atlantic City is a popular destination for tourists and those who just love to gamble. It also has a popular nightlife scene. If you are going to visit this area, it might be helpful to know about the laws are regarding cannabis. 

Medicinal Marijuana 

You can only legally buy or possess cannabis in New Jersey if you have a medical marijuana card. Some of the qualifying conditions for this card include epilepsy, migraines, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, opioid dependency, chronic pain, and cancer. 

Medical marijuana patients in NJ are only allowed up to three ounces per month, and home cultivation is not permitted. 

As of June of 2019, the Department of Health officially announced that over 100 licensed dispensaries would be opening across the state. 

If you have a medical marijuana card from another state, you can bring your cannabis into New Jersey for up to six months at a time. 

Possession of Cannabis 

Those who are caught in possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana can face a charge of “disorderly person”. This carries a sentence of up to six months jail time and a maximum fine of $1,000. 

If you are caught with more than 50 grams of marijuana, you can be charged with a felony. This comes with a sentence of up to one and a half years in jail and a maximum fine of $25,000. 

Being caught with any amount of cannabis 1,000 feet from a school carries up to 100 extra hours of community service. 

Distribution of Cannabis 

Distributing less than an ounce of cannabis comes with a sentence of up to one and a half years in jail and a maximum fine of $25,000. 

If you are caught distributing 1-5 ounces, you can be sentenced to 3-5 years in jail with a maximum fine of $25,000. 

Distributing 5 to 25 pounds comes with a sentence of 5-10 years in jail and a maximum fine of $150,000. 

Distributing upwards of 25 pounds of cannabis can get you 10-20 years jail time and a maximum fine of $300,000. 

Growing 

Growing your own cannabis is not allowed under current New Jersey law. Growing 1 ounce to 5 pounds comes with a sentence of 3 to 5 years of jail time and a maximum fine of $25,000. 

Growing 5 to 25 pounds comes with a sentence of 5-10 years and a maximum fine of $150,000. 

Growing more than 25 pounds comes with a sentence of 10-20 years jail time and a maximum fine of $300,000. 

CBD Legality 

Hemp-derived CBD products are legal in Atlantic City as well as the rest of New Jersey, while marijuana-derived CBD is not. You cannot legally posses any CBD products that have a THC potency of more than 0.3%. 

What to Expect 

Most police in Atlantic City are generally not too concerned about small amounts of cannabis for personal use. The arrest rate for personal use marijuana has been fairly low in this area for quite some time now. It is, however, still a good idea to be aware of the laws when you are in this city. 

Read here for a current visitor’s guide to cannabis laws, before going.