New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization (CREAMM) Act: A New Era for Cannabis

BY Professor 420 April 1, 2024

In a significant shift in policy, New Jersey has legalized the sale and use of cannabis and cannabis products for residents 21 years and older through the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization (CREAMM) Act. This act not only establishes the recreational cannabis industry in the state but also addresses important issues related to cannabis use and its societal impacts.

The CREAMM Act makes a clear distinction between cannabis and marijuana. Cannabis refers to the regulated form of the plant, which is grown, bought, and sold by New Jersey state-licensed cannabis businesses. In contrast, marijuana refers to the unregulated form of the plant, which is grown, bought, and sold in the illicit market.

The act allows anyone, whether they are New Jersey residents or visitors, who are 21 years and older to purchase cannabis and cannabis products from licensed establishments in the state.

Beyond the legalization of cannabis, the CREAMM Act also addresses societal issues related to cannabis use. It provides for the expungement of records for certain prior marijuana-related offenses and directs the state legislature to reinvest revenue from cannabis sales to initiatives such as financial support for individuals in Impact Zones. The act also requires the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to adopt minimum standards to protect the health of medicinal patients and recreational consumers.

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) was created by the act to establish rules and regulations governing the sale and purchase of recreational cannabis, administer New Jersey’s medicinal cannabis program, and oversee licensing for all areas of the cannabis industry.

The CREAMM Act represents a significant shift in New Jersey’s approach to marijuana policies, controlling and legalizing cannabis in a similar fashion to the regulation of alcohol for adults.

For more information regarding the commission, medicinal cannabis, personal use, cannabis business, social equity, and more, you can find answers on the New Jersey Division of Taxation website.

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