This bill legalizes the growing and possession of marijuana plants for personal use by individuals aged 21 and older in New Jersey. Specifically, it allows for the cultivation of up to six marijuana plants for personal recreational use, with a maximum of 12 plants per household. Additionally, qualifying patients and their designated caregivers can grow or possess up to 10 marijuana plants for personal medical use, also with a maximum of 12 plants per household. The bill stipulates that such possession and cultivation will not be subject to any criminal penalties, categorizing it as neither a crime nor a civil violation.

The bill amends existing law by removing previous restrictions on marijuana possession and cultivation, specifically deleting the provision that criminalized the possession of marijuana in amounts greater than five pounds or ten plants. It introduces new language that explicitly states that growing or possessing marijuana plants for personal use is not a crime, offense, act of delinquency, or civil violation. Furthermore, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission is tasked with implementing rules and regulations to support the provisions of this bill within 90 days of its enactment.