THE ORANGES, NJ — East Orange police recently seized more than 225 pounds of marijuana during a citywide crackdown on "illegal smoke shops," authorities say.
Working in tandem with local code and health inspectors, the East Orange Police Department also confiscated more than $17,000 in cash and six vehicles during the enforcement campaign.
Although marijuana is legally available through licensed dispensaries in New Jersey, cannabis products sold by unlicensed businesses are still illegal. See a list of approved, state-licensed dispensaries here.
Eight businesses have been shut down since March 2026 after allegedly violating state and local laws, East Orange officials said:
Eleven people have been charged with various offenses, including possession with intent to distribute. The arrestees included several New York residents, in addition to residents of East Orange, Newark, Orange, Clifton, Totowa and Mount Laurel.
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