This bill establishes new criminal penalties for selling or purchasing marijuana from unlicensed businesses in New Jersey. Specifically, it makes it a third-degree crime for business owners to manufacture, distribute, or dispense marijuana without a license from the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, with penalties including three to five years of imprisonment and fines up to $15,000. Additionally, the bill introduces a second-degree crime for individuals who lead illegal marijuana business networks, defined as those who conspire to unlawfully operate multiple unlicensed businesses for profit. This offense carries a penalty of five to ten years of imprisonment and fines up to $150,000, with a presumption of imprisonment for those convicted.

Furthermore, the bill classifies the act of knowingly purchasing marijuana from an unlicensed business as a disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to six months in prison and fines not exceeding $1,000. It also empowers the New Jersey State Police, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General, to close businesses that violate these provisions and to seize any marijuana involved in such violations. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen enforcement against unlicensed marijuana operations and enhance penalties for related offenses.