2C:35-10f Prohibited business actions, cannabis, hemp-derived products, cannabinoids.

678 words·~3 min read·/nj/title-2c/chapter-35/2c-35-10f

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

8. a. On or after April 13, 2026, or unless otherwise authorized by law, it shall be unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or distribute any of the following:

(1)any viable seeds from a Cannabis sativa L. plant that exceeds a total tetrahydrocannabinol concentration, including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, of 0.3 percent in the plant on a dry weight basis;

(2)any intermediate hemp-derived product containing:

(a)cannabinoids that are not capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant;

(b)cannabinoids that are capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant, but were synthesized or manufactured; or

(c)more than 0.3 percent combined total of total tetrahydrocannabinol, including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, with any other cannabinoids that have similar effects or are marketed to have similar effects on humans or animals as tetrahydrocannabinol, as determined by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services;

(3)any intermediate hemp-derived cannabinoid product that is marketed or sold as a final product or directly to an end consumer for personal or household use;

(4)any final hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing:

(a)cannabinoids that are not capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant;

(b)cannabinoids that are capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant, but were synthesized or manufactured outside the plant;

(c)cannabinoids that are capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant, but were synthesized or manufactured outside the plant by any other prohibited synthesis methodology, as identified by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission;

(d)greater than 0.4 milligrams combined total per container of total tetrahydrocannabinol, including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, with any other cannabinoids that have similar effects or are marketed to have similar effects on humans or animals as tetrahydrocannabinol, as determined by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services; or

(5)any cannabinoid product marketed, labeled, or represented as hemp that exceeds the federally defined THC level for hemp.

b. It shall be unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or distribute any intoxicating hemp beverage or any hemp-derived cannabinoid product through online retail sale.

c. It shall be unlawful to dispense, distribute, sell, or offer for sale any intoxicating hemp beverage from a vending machine. In addition to the penalties established pursuant to this section and N.J.S.2C:35-5, a person who violates this subsection shall be liable to a civil penalty of not less than $100 for each container of any such beverage. The penalty prescribed by this section shall be collected and enforced by summary proceedings under the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999,” P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.).

(1)The sale, offer for sale, or distribution of any substance or product in violation of this section shall be subject to the same criminal penalties established for marijuana pursuant to N.J.S.2C:35-5.

(2)In addition to the penalties established pursuant to N.J.S.2C:35-5, a person who sells, offers for sale, or distributes any substance or product in violation of subsection a. of this section shall be liable to a civil penalty of not less than $100 for the first violation, not less than $1,000 for the second violation, and not less than $10,000 for the third and each subsequent violation. Each day during which a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. The penalty prescribed by this section shall be collected and enforced by summary proceedings under the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999,” P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the imposition of multiple fines for a single violation as a penalty for the sale or distribution of more than one substance or product in violation of this section.

(3)The sale, offer for sale, or distribution of any substance or product in violation of this section shall be subject to the enforcement provisions and remedies set forth in section 9 of P.L.2025, c.215 (C.2C:35-10i).

The imposition of any fine or other remedy under P.L.2025, c.215 (C.2C:35-10f et al.) shall not preclude prosecution for a violation of the criminal laws of this State.

L.2025, c.215, s.8.