Well, well, well, New Jersey, look at you getting all modern and legalizing recreational cannabis in April 2022. Now that the green light is on, dispensaries are popping up like mushrooms after a rainstorm, and brands are scrambling to roll out their wares to the newly minted market. But hold your horses, folks! The state has laid down some pretty specific rules for peddling pot.
New Jersey’s cannabis marketing laws are like a strict parent – they’re all about displacing the black market and keeping consumers informed about where to find the good stuff (i.e., licensed retail dispensaries). So, if you’re in the cannabis business, you’d better swot up on the rules, or you’ll end up grounded. Here’s the lowdown:
Age Restrictions
This isn’t a candy store, folks. You can’t advertise your business, products, or paraphernalia unless 71.6% of the audience is 21 or older. And remember, no ads that target or appeal to anyone under the legal age. That means no cartoon characters, toys, or anything else that might scream “Hey kiddo, this is for you!”
Promote Public Health & Reduce Harm
Your ads should shout out loud and clear that you’re licensed by the State of New Jersey. No false disparagement of competitors’ products, no misleading or deceptive claims, and no suggesting that your cannabis is safe just because it’s regulated or tested. Also, no encouraging fast or excessive consumption. Remember, we’re promoting responsible use here, not a Cheech & Chong marathon.
Discretion of Advertising
Keep your ads 200 feet away from schools, and don’t advertise during events where the audience might be underage. No billboards, no signs in public places like malls or arcades, and no external signage except for your licensed name. And for Pete’s sake, no mascots outside your premises. This isn’t a football game!
*All information was sourced from New Jersey Administrative Code documents: Title 17 Treasury General, Chapter 30 (Personal Use Cannabis Rules).
Leave a Reply