In case you hadn’t heard, weed is legal in New York and New Jersey. For those over 21 years of age in New York, it’s legal to possess up to three ounces of cannabis and up to 24 grams of concentrate for personal use.
New Jersey allows possession of up to six ounces of cannabis and 17 grams of concentrate for personal use by adults. This means that you can carry small amounts of weed in public areas of New York and New Jersey, but still not in schools, government owned property, and many private places.
But where can you actually smoke or consume cannabis?
This is where New York and New Jersey differ. New Jersey prohibits smoking in all public areas, requiring individuals to consume their cannabis in private spaces (although your landlord may still prohibit cannabis use on their property).
While this may be disappointing for some, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) recently proposed rules for cannabis consumption areas, meaning that with some luck we may just see cannabis consumption lounges at the end of 2023.
For now, you can find dispensaries scattered across the state, as the CRC allowed a number of medical dispensaries to also sell for recreational use.
New York has taken a different approach. Adults may smoke or vape cannabis anywhere where smoking tobacco is allowed (with a few exceptions). New York’s cannabis consumption laws are even more permitting than the state’s own alcohol consumption laws, which call for a fine and a non-criminal summons for public alcohol consumption. This makes NY one of the most progressive states in the nation when it comes to public consumption of cannabis.
Still, cannabis use is not allowed in motor vehicles, outdoor dining areas, most indoor areas, parks, beaches, some pedestrian areas, and plenty of private spaces.
If you’re looking to consume cannabis elsewhere, New York is also expecting consumption areas (although much of the specific rules for such are not yet published). If you’re looking for where you can actually buy cannabis in New York, check out our recent article.
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The cannabis industry shouldn’t be a fan of TikTok considering their double standard with alcohol.
While it seems the administration is a fan China and their most famous tech company, the cannabis industry is not. Alcohol use disorder is a public health concern in China, especially among men. Culturally they are know for hard drinking, heavy smoking and occasionally illicit opium use. But the government is very anti marijuana lead to TikTok’s double standard on marijuana and alcohol. Despite a significant number of medical institutions recognizing the medical benefits, China and TikTok still hate on the green plant.
TikTok has established distinct policies regarding content related to cannabis and alcohol. TikTok strictly prohibits any content that depicts or promotes cannabis. This includes not only direct advertisements for cannabis products but also any visual or verbal references to cannabis use, sales, or trade. The platform’s community guidelines explicitly state that users should not post or share content that glorifies or encourages the use of drugs, including cannabis, regardless of its legal status in various regions.
While cannabis brands can create educational content about cannabis culture and personal experiences, they must avoid showing any actual product usage or making promotional claims. For instance:
Allowed Content:
Educational videos about cannabis culture
Discussions on the benefits of cannabis
Personal stories relating to cannabis experiences
Not Allowed Content:
Videos showing cannabis use
Product promotions or sales pitches
Tutorials on making cannabis-infused products
This strict enforcement means that many users find their content removed if it even indirectly suggests cannabis use, such as showing smoke without clear context.
But, in contrast to its stance on cannabis, TikTok has updated its policies to allow advertising for alcoholic beverages under specific conditions. As of August 2024, TikTok permits alcohol ads but requires that they target users who are 25 years or older. The rules around Alcohol ads are they must not feature individuals under the legal drinking age and promotions cannot depict excessive drinking or irresponsible behavior.
In the news today regarding the famous canal – but what about Panama and marijuana?
Panama is the only place in the world where the sun rises in the Pacific Ocean and sets in the Atlantic Ocean. It is slightly smaller than South Carolina but has more bird species than the continental United States. It’s also home to many natural attractions, including whitewater rafting, snorkeling, and birding. Long a friend, it was the first Latin American country to use the US dollar as its currency. Now it is the news with the new administration. Considering the talk here, what about Panama and cannabis?
The economy of Panama is based mainly on the tourism and services sector, which accounts for nearly 80% of its GDP and accounts for most of its foreign income. Services include banking, commerce, insurance, container ports, and flagship registry, medical and health. Enjoy a significant number of travelers who enjoy adventure, outdoor activities and chilling, the country’s stance on marijuana is evolving.
Panama has made significant strides in the realm of cannabis, particularly regarding its medical use. In 2021, Panama became the first Central American nation to legalize medical cannabis when President Laurentino Cortizo signed Law 242, allowing for the medicinal and therapeutic use of cannabis and its derivatives. This law was a response to growing demands from patients suffering from various medical conditions, including epilepsy and chronic pain, who had previously resorted to smuggling cannabis products due to a lack of legal options
In September 2022, the Panamanian government established regulations to support the implementation of Law 242. These regulations created a National Directorate for the Monitoring of Activities Related to Medical Cannabis, which operates under the Ministry of Public Security. This body is responsible for overseeing the cultivation, production, and distribution of medical cannabis products, ensuring patient data protection and product traceability from cultivation to sale. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is tasked with issuing licenses for manufacturing and commercializing cannabis products, with an initial cap on manufacturing licenses set at seven for the first five years. Regulations aim to ensure that all medical cannabis produced in Panama adheres to strict quality standards.
The government envisions creating a robust local industry that not only meets domestic needs but also positions Panama as a potential hub for international medical cannabis trade. While they are making advancements in medical cannabis regulation, recreational use remains illegal in Panama. The law against recreational cannabis is often unenforced, leading to a culture where its use is tolerated among the youth. Both the public and tourist find it an easy atmosphere.
Panama has one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America and has as stable government. Like the United States, it is a republic and engages the public. They have evaluated cannabis as a benefits and have moved to integrating into their healthcare.