New Jersey

Can you smoke weed in public? What you need to know in New Jersey

Published

1 year ago

July 5, 2024

Can you smoke weed in public? What you need to know in New Jersey

As summer rolls in, more people are out and about, and you might notice the distinct smell of pot wafting through the air. Cannabis, whether you call it weed, pot, dope, grass, herb, or reefer, goes by many names. But before you light up, there are a few things you should know.

Recreational marijuana is legal in New Jersey. But what does that really mean? Can you smoke weed in public?

According to NJ’s Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization (CREAMM) Act, the sale and use of weed and other cannabis products is legal for adults over 21.

However, the law doesn’t give users free range to light up anywhere.

Can you smoke weed in public in New Jersey?

New Jersey’s laws on marijuana say it’s illegal to use weed in public places where smoking is prohibited by the New Jersey Smokefree Air Act (NJ SFAA).

So, restaurants, schools, gyms and libraries are clearly pot-free spots. But where else should you not be smelling someone else’s recreational marijuana?

Parks and recreational areas such as Liberty State Park, Six Flags Great Adventure, or any public playgrounds.
Beaches and boardwalks like the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach, or any other beach or boardwalk.
Schools and educational facilities including Rutgers University, Princeton University, and local public and private schools.
Public transit stations such as NJ Transit train stations, bus stops, or the Newark Liberty International Airport.
Office buildings, such as those in downtown Newark or corporate offices in Jersey City.
Restaurants and bars including The Chart House in Weehawken and The Ashford in Jersey City.
Event venues like MetLife Stadium, Prudential Center, and any concert or sports venues.
Public housing facilities managed by entities like the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.
Daycare centers such as The Learning Experience or KinderCare locations.
Shopping malls like the Mall at Short Hills and the Cherry Hill Mall.

And, no, you can’t smoke in your car or while walking in your neighborhood, either.

Bottom line, pot is only legal on private property where the owner allows it — and is allowed to allow it.

Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist reporting on trending issues across the Mid-Atlantic region.

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New Jersey

New Jersey police chief faces felony charges in Massachusetts, Totowa mayor says

Published

2 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

New Jersey police chief faces felony charges in Massachusetts, Totowa mayor says

December 21, 2025 / 12:49 PM EST
/ CBS New York

The police chief of Totowa, New Jersey, is facing felony charges related to an incident in Massachusetts, according to the borough’s mayor.

Mayor John Coiro said Sunday that Chief Carmen Veneziano was in custody at the Bergen County jail after an extradition hearing over charges that are “serious in nature and considered felonies.”

Coiro said Veneziano was detained Friday and he is now awaiting transport to Massachusetts, where he will appear before a judge on charges stemming from an incident that occurred in September.

“While I did not see the exact charges in writing, the [Passaic County] Prosecutor’s Office did relay to me that these charges were serious in nature and considered felonies,” Coiro said in a statement.

The mayor said he suspended Veneziano without pay until the legal process plays out.

“Please know that the Totowa Police Department will continue to operate effectively in providing services to our community,” he said.

An interim police chief will be appointed, the mayor said.

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New Jersey

Beast of the East wrestling, 2025: N.J. quarterfinals pairings

Published

14 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Beast of the East wrestling, 2025: N.J. quarterfinals pairings

Published: Dec. 20, 2025, 9:14 p.m.

Boys Wrestling: 2025 Beast of the East – Day 1, December 20, 2025

NEWARK, Del. — The 33rd Beast of the East wrestling tournament kicked off at the University of Delaware early Saturday morning and New Jersey athletes have made their mark.

Below are the quarterfinals pairings for any matchup involving a New Jersey wrestler. The quarterfinals will take place on Sunday morning at 8:30.

This post will turn into a results post following the quarterfinals. Bolded wrestlers are from New Jersey.

Buy these game photos: We offer reprints in a variety of sizes. Open the gallery above and select “BUY IMAGE” to purchase yours now.

106 pounds

8-Stephen Bagocius, Camden Catholic vs. 1-Jack Anello, Blair
Alex Spagnuolo, Hanover Park vs. 11-Forest Rose, Immaculata

113 pounds

6-Noah Watkins, Dobyns Bennett (TN) vs. 3-Killian Coluccio, Lacey

120 pounds

Ethan Michaels, Colts Neck vs. 2-Michael Batista, Blair

126 pounds

9-Matthew Mulligan, Bergen Catholic vs. 1-Mason Jakob, Dobyns Bennett (TN)
Joey Pellicci, Paramus Catholic vs. 5-Finnegan O’Brien, Blair

132 pounds

8-Dalton Weber, Pope John vs. 1-Vinny Anello, Blair
6-Anthony DiAndrea, Watchung Hills vs. 3-Nicholas Salamone, Easton (PA)
7-Colton Hagerty, Washington Twp. vs. 2-Lukas Littleton Mascaro, Malvern Prep (PA)

138 pounds

6-Blake Boyer, Kennett (PA) vs. 3-Gino Schinina, St. Peter’s Prep

144 pounds

5-Gideon Gonzalez, Bergen Catholic vs. 4-Weston Borgers, Blair

150 pounds

Joey Petriello, Dumont vs. 1-Bo Bassett, Bishop McCort (PA)
Brooklyn Pickett, Mount St. Joseph (MD) vs. 3-Sonny Amato, Rumson-Fair Haven

157 pounds

Joey Monticello, Hanover Park vs. 2-Josiah Sykes, Skyline (VA)

165 pounds

8-Ryan Gavrish, St. John Vianney vs. 1-Melvin Miller, Bishop McCort (PA)
7-Morgan Schwarz, St. Joseph (Met.) vs. 2-Josh Piparo, St. Peter’s Prep

175 pounds

7-Chase Hetrick, Malvern Prep (PA) vs. 2-Santino Rodriguez, Don Bosco Prep

190 pounds

8-Braeden Simoneaux, NY Military Academy (NY) vs. 1-Tanner Hodgins, Howell
5-Alex Reyes, Holmdel vs. 4-Saleh Tsarni, Blair
7-Nevin Mattessich, Don Bosco vs. 2-Brayden Zuercher, Nazareth (PA)

215 pounds

5-TJ Kellas, Blair vs. 4-Tyler Palumbo, Christian Brothers
6-Rocco Salerno, Seton Hall Prep vs. 3-EJ German, Brecksville (OH)

285 pounds

5-Cael Mielnik, Blair vs. 4-Caleb Rodriguez, Bishop McCort (PA)
7-Chris Funches, Grassfield (VA) vs. 2-Mateo Vinciguerra, Woodstown

Ryan Patti covers high school football, wrestling and track & field for NJ Advance Media. He previously worked for Rivals covering college football recruiting and has worked in the industry since 2018. He…

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New Jersey

63 mph wind was clocked during Friday’s storms. See top gusts in each N.J. county.

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

63 mph wind was clocked during Friday’s storms. See top gusts in each N.J. county.

Trees were blown down. Electrical poles were snapped. And Christmas decorations went flying off lawns.

All thanks to Friday’s intense storms, which generated wind gusts as strong as 63 mph at the High Point Monument in Sussex County, 60 mph at Teterboro Airport in Bergen County and 60 mph in Belleville in Essex County.

Those were among the highest gusts clocked across the Garden State, according to the National Weather Service and the Rutgers NJ Weather Network.

Fierce gusts also were whipping down in South Jersey and along the Jersey Shore, and triggered more than 40,000 power outages across the state Friday afternoon and Friday evening.

Here’s a look at the highest wind gusts reported in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties on Friday: