New Jersey Marijuana Businesses Could Engage In Interstate Commerce Under Senate President’s New Bill

OG article by Tom Angell

January 15, 2026

New Jersey Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D) introduced legislation enabling licensed marijuana businesses to engage in interstate commerce. The bill authorizes the governor to negotiate agreements with other states for commercial cannabis activities between licensed entities, covering both medical and adult-use markets. Implementation hinges on federal shifts, such as explicit legalization of interstate trade, a DOJ memo tolerating it, congressional non-enforcement, or an attorney general opinion deeming low legal risk. Imported products must meet New Jersey's strict testing, packaging, labeling, marketing, tracking, and quality rules. This revives Scutari's prior unsuccessful efforts. Several states have passed similar laws contingent on federal reform, though enforcement risks remain high, as seen in California's 2023 attorney general opinion. The proposal addresses the conflict between state-legal markets and federal prohibitions, potentially expanding access and economic opportunities if conditions align.