You can buy marijuana in New Jersey, but it is illegal to bring it back into Pennsylvania. In their euphoria in digesting the news that area residents could buy pot legally between 30 and 40 miles away, they might have missed the fine print that they could be charged if they transport it back to the Keystone State.

New Jersey voters authorized the recreational sale of marijuana in 2020, and Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill into law after it was approved by the state Legislature in 2021.

Judging by the first month of sales, the program has been a huge success. The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission reported last week that recreational sales for the 12 stores authorized to dispense the products amounted to $24.2 million, which translates into significant tax dollars for the state.

The closest outlet for marijuana to our area is the Apothecarium Dispensary in downtown Phillipsburg, Warren County, just across the Delaware River from Easton, a mere 30 miles from Palmerton and 24 miles from Saylorsburg. Even Tamaqua is just an hour’s drive away at 53 miles.

When sales began on April 21, there were lines around the block at the Phillipsburg facility with quite a few of those from our area of Pennsylvania. Throughout the Garden State on that first day, about 12,000 customers bought about $1.9 million worth of cannabis products.

Business has been brisk since then, according to store officials in the 12 legal dispensaries, including the one in Phillipsburg, who confirmed that a good percentage of their business comes from Pennsylvanians. The store is open seven days a week, including 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sundays, with Sunday morning being its busiest time.

These stores also service medical marijuana patients, who also are permitted to purchase the substance for recreational use. The first and last hours of each day are dedicated to medical marijuana patients only, so be aware of this restriction if you plan to make the trip. Payments are by cash only, including debit cards.

I visited the Apothecarium on Friday, May 13 and spoke to several area buyers who declined to give their full names for obvious reasons since all of them were planning to take their purchases back to Pennsylvania.

“Buddy” from Slatington told me that he considers the risk that he would be caught minimal, but as a precaution he decided to drive around the Phillipsburg area and do some shopping before reentering Pennsylvania.

Buyers must understand being caught with marijuana in Pennsylvania for recreational use can result in a charge of possession, driving while under the influence of drugs, or, depending on the circumstances, even more serious charges. If you’re caught with carrying marijuana when traveling across state lines you could face a felony drug trafficking charge, which is punishable by a prison term of up to five years and a $250,000 fine. Remember, too, that since cannabis is still not federally legal, federal law enforcement officers can charge you with taking a banned substance from one state to another, even if both states legally sell recreational marijuana, which, of course, is not the case in Pennsylvania.

I strongly caution readers not to cross state lines with recreational cannabis, and that goes for other modes of transportation in addition to motor vehicles. So what is a buyer to do? You’ll need a place to stay in New Jersey where you can safely consume cannabis products. You’ll also need time for the effects of the substance to wear off so you’re not charged with DUI on the way home.

Years ago, it was common for Liquor Control Board agents to stake out package stores in the Phillipsburg area for any Pennsylvanians returning with illegal alcohol purchases. Although there are no reports of plans just yet to have similar surveillance for marijuana purchases, the idea is “on the table,” according to enforcement officials.

There was about a 15-minute wait for each customer when I visited the Apothecarium. Some customers were first-time buyers and had questions which were patiently answered by the staff.

To make a purchase, you must show a picture ID and must be at least 21. Consumers can buy up to an ounce (28.3 grams) of cannabis in one transaction but cannot buy any item that exceeds 100 milligrams of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main ingredient in marijuana which causes people to feel high.

The legal outlets in New Jersey sell these forms of marijuana: flowers, pre-rolls, cartridges, soft lozenges, concentrates, capsules, topical and tinctures.

Prices at the Phillipsburg dispensary are not cheap. An ounce of marijuana sells for about $400 once all taxes are factored in, but state officials are hoping to authorize more outlets in an effort to drive down the prices. Included in any purchase, buyers must pay sales taxes totaling 8.625% (6.625% state and 2% to the town of Phillipsburg).

While all of this is going on, some Pennsylvania lawmakers are salivating over the tax revenue our state could be raking in if recreational marijuana use were authorized here.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.