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With both medical marijuana and recreational marijuana use now legal in the state of New Jersey, many users may be wondering what their options are for cannabis consumption. The rise in edible cannabis products leaves many wondering if it is a better choice for them.
Cannabis Consumption Choices in New Jersey
Currently, most of the marijuana dispensaries in New Jersey only sell cannabis as the raw flower or “bud.” However, while no dispensaries sell edible cannabis directly, patients may create their own edible cannabis through the bud they purchase at a dispensary. Many patients prefer edible cannabis to smoking, but each option presents its own set of advantages and risks.
Discreetness
Smoking marijuana can leave behind a number of traces of the drug’s use. In addition to the smoke it produces, smoking marijuana can leave behind a strong smell that may last for a long time. Similar to tobacco smoke, it can also stick to your clothing and other belongings. For this reason, patients looking for a more discreet form of consumption often consider edible cannabis. The lack of smoke and distinctive smell may make it easier for you to dose in privacy.
People looking to smoke marijuana are subject to the same laws as tobacco smoking under New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act. Among other stipulations, this means that patients can not smoke in public parks, beaches, recreational areas, or on public transportation. However, people using their own edible cannabis products are not under the same restrictions. Edible cannabis may be the better choice for those who are on the move and may need to use in public locations.
Drug Testing
For marijuana users looking to pass a drug test, it is critical to understand the differences your consumption choices can make in drug testing. Typically, marijuana stays detectable in the body’s system for anywhere between a week and month after the last usage. This depends on a variety of factors, including usage history, diet, and personal metabolism. However, evidence shows that edible cannabis tends to stay detectable in the body for a longer period than smoking. For example, cannabis is absorbed into the fat cells while alcohol is absorbed into the blood which is why alcohol dissipates quicker and THC lingers on in the system well after you feel the effects.
Marijuana DUI Laws
Driving while under the influence of marijuana is illegal. However, the technical aspects of the law regarding marijuana DUIs are not always clear. For instance, testing for marijuana in relation to DUIs is not always 100% accurate. As a result, they may not be enough to prove that a user is legally intoxicated. While the distinct and lingering odors of smoked cannabis may arouse undue suspicion in police officers, users who choose edible cannabis won’t have similar complications.
However, the effects of edible cannabis take longer to set in and may last several hours longer than smoking. Also, homemade edible cannabis products can be difficult to dose accurately. Those who choose edible cannabis need to be extra cautious to make sure they don’t drive under the influence.
Ultimately, the laws regarding marijuana in New Jersey can be tricky and easily misunderstood since legalization is so new. That’s why it’s crucial to have an attorney you can rely on should you find yourself in any legal trouble. If you or someone you know is facing legal complications related to medical marijuana, please contact Leon Matchin at 732-887-2479, or email him at [email protected].
