When New Jersey legalized recreational marijuana for adults six years ago, one of the biggest objections from critics was the worry that more young people would end up smoking weed. That's not the way it turned out, federal data shows.
The number of high school students in New Jersey who have tried cannabis has fallen to a 20-year low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS).
Roughly 24.7 percent of Garden State high school students who took the survey in 2023 said they have used marijuana – down from 41.1 percent in 2001.
According to YRBSS data, that number has dropped significantly since New Jersey legalized weed. The number of high school students who have tried cannabis stood at 32.8 percent in 2019, dropped to 29.5 percent in 2021, and dropped again to 24.7 percent in 2023 (the most recent year for which data is available).
New Jersey's numbers are below the U.S. average, which was at 25.5 percent in 2025.
The decrease in youth marijuana use has also been seen on the national level, where the percentage of high-schoolers who identify as current cannabis consumers fell nearly 60 percent over the past decade.
This notable decline coincides with nearly half of all U.S. states regulating adult-use marijuana markets, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).
"Sensational claims that adult-use legalization laws are linked with greater marijuana use by teens are simply not backed by reliable data," NORML deputy director Paul Armentano said.
"These government findings ought to reassure lawmakers that cannabis access can be legally regulated in a manner that is safe, effective, and that does not inadvertently impact young people's habits," Armentano said.
Don't believe the CDC numbers? The latest data is also consistent with research from the University of Michigan and the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which found that young people's use of cannabis has fallen to historic lows nationally.
LEGAL WEED IN NEW JERSEY: WHAT ARE THE RULES?
New Jersey passed a medical marijuana law in 2010, which remained the only legal way for people to consume cannabis in the state for more than a decade.
Voters approved recreational marijuana for people 21 and older in November 2020. But it wasn't legal to fire up the bong until the legal framework was signed into law in February 2021.
New Jersey residents and visitors are only allowed to buy cannabis at a licensed dispensary. Growing marijuana at home is not permitted.
Here are some things to know about Garden State's current regulations for adult recreational use, as per the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission:
WHO CAN BUY? – Anyone 21 years and older (New Jersey residents or visitors)
WHAT CAN I BUY? – In each transaction, dispensaries are allowed to sell up to the equivalent of 28.35 grams or one ounce of usable cannabis (four grams of solid concentrates or resin, four grams of concentrate in liquid form, four grams of vaporized formulations (oil), or 1,000 mg of edibles or other cannabis-infused products).
HOW MUCH WEED CAN I HAVE ON ME? – New Jersey state law allows adults 21 years and older to have up to six ounces of cannabis and cannabis products in their possession.
WHERE CAN I SMOKE? – Cannabis users may smoke in private spaces, however landlords can prohibit cannabis use on their property. Cannabis smoking is allowed where cigarette smoking is permitted, unless stated otherwise. People can also consume legal cannabis at licensed dispensaries with approved consumption areas.
IS IT ILLEGAL TO DRIVE WHILE HIGH? – Yes. Laws regarding driving while impaired apply to being under the influence of cannabis.
HOW MUCH IS THE TAX? – All transactions are subject to New Jersey sales tax of 6.625 percent, plus a social equity excise fee of 1/3 of 1 percent. Customers may also face local fees or taxes, depending on the location of the dispensary.
CAN I TAKE MY WEED OUT OF STATE? – No. It is still illegal to transport cannabis across state lines.
CAN I GIVE MY FRIENDS WEED AS A GIFT? – Yes. People may give up to 28.35 grams (one ounce) of cannabis to another adult 21 years or older. They may not accept any form of payment or compensation for the gifted cannabis.
Since New Jersey legalized adult cannabis use, the state has been seeing tens of thousands fewer arrests.
In 2020, the year before New Jersey voters legalized cannabis for adults, the state saw 23,015 weed-related arrests. That was a whopping 61 percent of all drug arrests, according to an analysis from NORML.
The state has since turned over a new leaf.
There were 502 marijuana-related arrests in New Jersey in 2024: less than 2 percent of all drug arrests, recent FBI crime data shows.
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