Politics
New Jersey Officials Share Tips For Marijuana Use At Newly Opened Consumption Lounges
As New Jersey’s first marijuana consumption lounges are opening, regulators are sharing information about where to find the sites and offering tips about how to responsibly use cannabis at the licensed businesses—including classic stoner cultural customs like “puff, puff, pass.”
About a month after the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) granted its first social consumption lounge license, regulators said “cannabis users now have legal spaces to smoke cannabis socially outside their homes.”
There are currently a handful of operational consumption sites, with more license awardees expected to open soon.
“Imagine meeting friends for happy hour, but at a dispensary’s cannabis lounge instead of your local bar, and without alcohol,” NJ-CRC said.
“Not everyone can, or wants to, smoke or consume cannabis at home,” it said. “Renters face restrictions, tourists lack access, and people living in multi-family units may be subject to building policies that ban smoking altogether.”
“Consumption areas also help remove some of the stigma and stereotyping associated with cannabis use,” it continues. “They provide spaces for adults to use cannabis communally, safely, and legally while providing opportunities for education. Consumers can ask questions and learn about safe use in real time.”
In addition to assisting adults to identify licensed lounges, the commission also gave some advice to cannabis novices, explaining both the statutory rules around marijuana on-site consumption and how to ensure that they have a safe experience.
“Know your limits and avoid unpleasant experiences for yourself and others. Pace yourself, stick to what you’re comfortable with, and don’t feel pressured to consume more than you usually would,” NJ-CRC said. “Also, never pressure someone else to do more or other than they’re comfortable with.”
Other advice includes staying hydrated and eating before using cannabis, because a “full stomach and adequate hydration can help prevent or alleviate unwanted effects.”
“Say no to dose stacking. Cannabis, especially edibles, can take 45 minutes to 2 hours to fully kick in and may hit harder than expected,” it said. “Wait to feel the full effects of what you’ve consumed before using more.”
“If you’re sharing, it’s two puffs and pass to the left, but it’s perfectly okay not to share, especially for your health or the health of others,” the commission said.
NJ-CRC also stressed the need to plan ahead of time to ensure that people who visit consumption lounges get home safely, which means no driving while under the influence. The commission recommends using rideshare services, public transportation or having a sober driver available.
“Driving while impaired–no matter the impairing substance – is against the law,” it said.
The four initial approved consumption lounge businesses that were announced last month—High Rollers Dispensary, SunnyTien Dispensary, Gynsyng and URB’N Dispensary—come from the application pool from the diversely owned licensee category.
NJ-CRC opened up applications to operate cannabis consumption lounges from all licensed marijuana dispensaries in July. That come months after officials first started accepting applications from social equity marijuana licensees before opening it up to diversely owned businesses and microbusinesses in April.
The endorsement application fee is $1,000, consisting of $200 for the initial submission and another $800 that would be paid upon approval. There are also annual licensing fees in the amount of $1,000 for microbusinesses and $5,000 for standard businesses.
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Under the rules, consumption lounges cannot sell food or alcohol, but adults 21 and older can bring food or have it delivered if the local government allows it. Medical cannabis patients would be able to bring their own marijuana products.
NJ-CRC members have said they expect the addition of cannabis consumption areas will have a positive economic benefit for the state by generating more tax revenue from marijuana sales and annual fees.
Meanwhile, New Jersey officials recently completed the curriculum of a no-cost marijuana training academy that’s meant to support entrepreneurs interested in entering the cannabis industry.
Separately, New Jersey Senate President Nick Scutari (D) recently filed a bill that would re-criminalize purchasing marijuana from unlicensed sources—one of the latest attempts to crack down on the illicit market and steer adults toward licensed retailers.
In March, a former New Jersey Senate leader unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination this year said “it is time” to give medical marijuana patients an option to grow their own cannabis plants for personal use. He also pledged to expand clemency for people impacted by marijuana criminalization if elected, and he expressed support for the establishment of cannabis consumption lounges.
The comments from Steve Sweeney, who was the longest-serving Senate president in the state’s history, on home grow depart from what current Gov. Phil Murphy (D) has said on multiple occasions, arguing that the state’s adult-use marijuana market needs to further mature before home grow is authorized.
Seemingly contradicting that claim, dozens of New Jersey small marijuana businesses and advocacy groups recently called on the legislature to allow adults to cultivate their own cannabis.
