N.J. Stat. » Title 2C — THE NEW JERSEY CODE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
New Jersey Statutes

N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10 (2026)

Possession, use or being under the influence, or failure to make lawful disposition

✓ current as of May 2026
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2C:35-10. Possession, Use or Being Under the Influence, or Failure to Make Lawful Disposition.

a. It is unlawful for any person, knowingly or purposely, to obtain, or to possess, actually or constructively, a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog, unless the substance was obtained directly, or pursuant to a valid prescription or order from a practitioner, while acting in the course of his professional practice, or except as otherwise authorized by P.L.1970, c.226 (C.24:21-1 et seq.). Any person who violates this section with respect to:

(1) A controlled dangerous substance, or its analog, classified in Schedule I, II, III or IV other than those specifically covered in this section, is guilty of a crime of the third degree except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $35,000 may be imposed;

(2) Any controlled dangerous substance, or its analog, classified in Schedule V, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $15,000 may be imposed;

(3) (a) Prior to the effective date of P.L.2021, c.19 (C.2C:35-23.1 et al.), possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana, including any adulterants or dilutants, or more than five grams of hashish is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree, except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $25,000 may be imposed;

(b) On and after to the effective date of P.L.2021, c.19 (C.2C:35-23.1 et al.), possession of more than six ounces of marijuana, including any adulterants or dilutants, or more than 17 grams of hashish is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree, except that, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, a fine of up to $25,000 may be imposed;

(i) The odor of marijuana or hashish, or burnt marijuana or hashish, shall not constitute reasonable articulable suspicion to initiate a search of a person to determine a violation of subparagraph (b) of paragraph (3) of this subsection. A person who violates this paragraph shall not be subject to arrest, detention, or otherwise be taken into custody, unless the person is being arrested, detained, or otherwise taken into custody for also committing another violation of law for which that action is legally permitted or required;

(ii) A person shall not be deprived of any legal or civil right, privilege, benefit, or opportunity provided pursuant to any law solely by reason of committing a violation of subparagraph (b) of paragraph (3) of this subsection, nor shall committing one or more violations modify any legal or civil right, privilege, benefit, or opportunity provided pursuant to any law, including, but not limited to, the granting, renewal, forfeiture, or denial of a license, permit, or certification, qualification for and the receipt, alteration, continuation, or denial of any form of financial assistance, housing assistance, or other social services, rights of or custody by a biological parent, or adoptive or foster parent, or other legal guardian of a child or newborn infant, or pregnant woman, in any action or proceeding by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families, or qualification, approval, or disapproval to serve as a foster parent or other legal guardian;

(iii) All local and county law enforcement authorities shall, following the submission process used for the uniform crime reporting system established by P.L.1966, c.37 (C.52:17B-5.1 et seq.), submit a quarterly report to the Uniform Crime Reporting Unit, within the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety, or to another designated recipient determined by the Attorney General, containing the number of violations of subparagraph (b) of paragraph (3) of this subsection committed within their respective jurisdictions, plus the race, ethnicity, gender, and age of each person committing a violation, and the disposition of each person's violation. These violations and associated information, along with a quarterly summary of violations investigated, and associated information collected, by the Division of State Police for the same period shall be summarized by county and municipality in an annual report, and both quarterly summaries and annual reports shall be made available at no cost to the public on the Division of State Police's Internet website;

(4) (a) Prior to the effective date of P.L.2021, c.19 (C.2C:35-23.1 et al.), possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana, including any adulterants or dilutants, or five grams or less of hashish is a disorderly person;

(b) On and after the effective date of P.L.2021, c.19 (C.2C:35-23.1 et al.), possession of six ounces or less of marijuana, including any adulterants or dilutants, or 17 grams or less of hashish is not subject to any punishment, as this possession is not a crime, offense, act of delinquency, or civil violation of law; or

(5) Possession of one ounce or less of psilocybin is a disorderly persons offense.

Any person who commits any offense set forth in paragraphs (1) through (3) of this subsection while on any property used for school purposes which is owned by or leased to any elementary or secondary school or school board, or within 1,000 feet of any such school property or a school bus, or while on any school bus, and who is not sentenced to a term of imprisonment, shall, in addition to any other sentence which the court may impose, be required to perform not less than 100 hours of community service.

b. (1) Any person who uses or who is under the influence of any controlled dangerous substance, or its analog, not including marijuana or hashish, for a purpose other than the treatment of sickness or injury as lawfully prescribed or administered by a physician is a disorderly person.

In a prosecution under this subsection, it shall not be necessary for the State to prove that the accused did use or was under the influence of any specific, prohibited drug, but it shall be sufficient for a conviction under this subsection for the State to prove that the accused did use or was under the influence of some prohibited controlled dangerous substance, counterfeit controlled dangerous substance, or controlled substance analog, by proving that the accused did manifest physical and physiological symptoms or reactions caused by the use of any prohibited controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog.

(2) Notwithstanding that using or being under the influence of marijuana or hashish is not a punishable crime, offense, act of delinquency, or civil violation pursuant to this subsection, the smoking, vaping, or aerosolizing of marijuana or hashish may be prohibited or otherwise regulated on or in any property by the person or entity that owns or controls that property, including multifamily housing that is a multiple dwelling as defined in section 3 of P.L.1967, c.76 (C.55:13A-3), the structure or specific units of the structure of a cooperative as defined in section 3 of P.L.1987, c.381 (C.46:8D-3),the units of a condominium, as those terms are defined by section 3 of P.L.1969, c.257 (C.46:8B-3), or a site in a mobile home park as defined in section 3 of P.L.1983, c.386 (C.40:55D-102), which site is leased to the owner of a manufactured home, as defined in that section, that is installed thereon.

c. Any person who knowingly obtains or possesses a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog in violation of paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection a. of this section and who fails to voluntarily deliver the substance to the nearest law enforcement officer is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to preclude a prosecution or conviction for any other offense defined in this title or any other statute.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 661 cases (298 in the last 5 years), 1989–2026 · leading case: State of New Jersey v. Lee E. Moorer (13-09-0514, Salem Cnty. & Statewide), 151 A.3d 109 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016).
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State of New Jersey v. Lee E. Moorer (13-09-0514, Salem Cnty. & Statewide), 151 A.3d 109 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016). · cites it 25× “In 1988, the Legislature "implement[ed] th[at] recommendation" by amending N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 to add subsection (c) for "use[] only as a mechanism to downgrade simple possession, an indictable offense, to a disorderly-persons offense.”
State v. Davon M. Johnson (080394) (Essex Cnty. & Statewide), 207 A.3d 1277 (N.J. 2019). · cites it 2× “Defendant was charged with third-degree possession of heroin, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1), third-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute, **124 N.”
State v. Atwood, 180 A.3d 1119 (N.J. 2018). · cites it 2× “2C:35-5(b)(10)(b) ; one count of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance (cocaine), N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1) ; and one count of second-degree possession with intent to distribute (cocaine), N.”
State of New Jersey v. Cecilio Davila, 129 A.3d 1099 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016). · cites it 2× “2C:5-2, 2C:35-10(a), 2C:35-5(a)(1), 2C:35-5(b)(3) (count two); third-degree possession of heroin, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1) (count three); third-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute, N.”
State v. Rodney J. Miles a/k/a Jamal D. Allen (077035) (Camden Cnty. & Statewide), 160 A.3d 23 (N.J. 2017). · cites it 2× “In a separate municipal summons, defendant was charged with the disorderly-persons offense of possession of fifty grams or less of marijuana, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(4). Those charges arose from the same attempted sale.”
State v. Thomas L. Scott (077434) (Monmouth & Statewide), 163 A.3d 325 (N.J. 2017). “” A Monmouth County grand jury indicted defendant for third- degree possession of heroin, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1). In preparation for trial, defendant filed a motion in limine, seeking a preliminary ruling on the admissibility of certain testimony.”
State v. Evans, 193 A.3d 843 (N.J. 2018). · cites it 2× “2C:39-5(b) (count one); third-degree possession of heroin, contrary to N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1) (count two); third-degree possession of cocaine, contrary to N.”
State v. Lurdes Rosario (077420) (Monmouth & Statewide), 162 A.3d 249 (N.J. 2017). “Defendant was charged with third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, in violation of N.J.S.A 2C:35-10(a)(1). At the April 3, 2014, suppression hearing, defense counsel argued that Campan’s encounter with defendant was from the outset an investigatory stop…”
State v. Lykes, 933 A.2d 1274 (N.J. 2007). · cites it 2× “See Model Jury Charge (Criminal), § 2C:35-10 "Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance" (1988).”
State v. Pressley, 181 A.3d 1017 (N.J. 2018). “The jury convicted defendant of third-degree possession of heroin, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1) ; third-degree distribution of cocaine, N.”
State v. Susan Hyland (079028) (Camden Cnty. & Statewide), 207 A.3d 1286 (N.J. 2019). “e of any pending criminal charge; and (6) the person has not been previously convicted on two or more separate occasions *1293 of crimes of the first or second degree, other than those listed in paragraph (7); or the person has not been previously convicted on two or more…”
State v. Brown, 190 A.3d 531 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018). “2C:35-5(b)(11) ; fourth-degree possession of marijuana, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(3) ; and second-degree endangering the *463 welfare of a child, N.”
Show all 661 citing cases →
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(3): 1 case
Schlichtig v. Inacom Corp., 271 F. Supp. 2d 597 (D.N.J. 2003).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(A): 1 case
State of New Jersey Vs. Syrron Lamar Roach (11-06-0335, Somerset Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2019).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(A)(1): 3 cases
Ford v. Norton (D.N.J. 2023).
Calabrese v. Tierney (D.N.J. 2020).
Bigenston Floreal v. Attorney Gen. United States, 606 F. App'x 35 (3d Cir. 2015).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(A)(3): 1 case
Richard Martin v. Attorney Gen. United States, 591 F. App'x 72 (3d Cir. 2015).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(a): 61 cases
State of New Jersey v. Lee E. Moorer (13-09-0514, Salem Cnty. & Statewide), 151 A.3d 109 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016). “In 1988, the Legislature "implement[ed] th[at] recommendation" by amending N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 to add subsection (c) for "use[] only as a mechanism to downgrade simple possession, an indictable offense, to a disorderly-persons offense.”
State v. Julie L. Michaels (072106), 95 A.3d 648 (N.J. 2014).
State of New Jersey v. George A. Myers, 122 A.3d 994 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2015).
Matter of Marquardt, 778 P.2d 241 (Ariz. 1989).
State of New Jersey v. Rodney J. Miles, 128 A.3d 700 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2015).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(a)(1): 471 cases
State v. Davon M. Johnson (080394) (Essex Cnty. & Statewide), 207 A.3d 1277 (N.J. 2019). “Defendant was charged with third-degree possession of heroin, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1), third-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute, **124 N.”
State of New Jersey v. Cecilio Davila, 129 A.3d 1099 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016). “2C:5-2, 2C:35-10(a), 2C:35-5(a)(1), 2C:35-5(b)(3) (count two); third-degree possession of heroin, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1) (count three); third-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute, N.”
State v. Thomas L. Scott (077434) (Monmouth & Statewide), 163 A.3d 325 (N.J. 2017). “” A Monmouth County grand jury indicted defendant for third- degree possession of heroin, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1). In preparation for trial, defendant filed a motion in limine, seeking a preliminary ruling on the admissibility of certain testimony.”
State of New Jersey v. Lee E. Moorer (13-09-0514, Salem Cnty. & Statewide), 151 A.3d 109 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016). “In 1988, the Legislature "implement[ed] th[at] recommendation" by amending N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 to add subsection (c) for "use[] only as a mechanism to downgrade simple possession, an indictable offense, to a disorderly-persons offense.”
State v. Evans, 193 A.3d 843 (N.J. 2018). “2C:39-5(b) (count one); third-degree possession of heroin, contrary to N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1) (count two); third-degree possession of cocaine, contrary to N.”
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(a)(2): 4 cases
State of New Jersey v. Jonathan Zembreski, 138 A.3d 583 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016).
State of New Jersey Vs. Richard D. Gray, Jr. (15-03-0170, Salem Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2019).
State of New Jersey Vs. Walter Harrison (15-02-0244, Mercer Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018).
In the Matter of the Expungement of the Crim./Juv. Records of A.W. (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2026).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(a)(3): 64 cases
State v. Brown, 190 A.3d 531 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018). “2C:35-5(b)(11) ; fourth-degree possession of marijuana, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(3) ; and second-degree endangering the *463 welfare of a child, N.”
State v. Atwood, 180 A.3d 1119 (N.J. 2018). “2C:35-5(b)(10)(b) ; one count of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance (cocaine), N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1) ; and one count of second-degree possession with intent to distribute (cocaine), N.”
State v. Dorn, 182 A.3d 938 (N.J. 2018).
State v. Dickerson, 177 A.3d 788 (N.J. 2018).
State of New Jersey v. James L. Legette, 116 A.3d 32 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2015).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(a)(3)(b): 3 cases
State of New Jersey Vs. Bruce a. Poole (18-08-0457, Mercer Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2021).
State of New Jersey v. Jorge L. Gomez (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025).
State of New Jersey v. Jorge L. Gomez (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(a)(3)(b)(i): 5 cases
State of New Jersey Vs. Jempsley Brun (18-03-0159, Hudson Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2021).
State of New Jersey Vs. Bruce a. Poole (18-08-0457, Mercer Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2021).
State of New Jersey v. Te'mon M. Molley (17-09-1991, Atl. Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2022).
State of New Jersey v. Jorge L. Gomez (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025).
State of New Jersey v. Jorge L. Gomez (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(a)(3)(b)(ii): 1 case
Dcpp Vs. D.h., T.w., J.k., Jr., & K.m., in the Matter of the Guardianship of D.h., T.g., & J.W. (fg-16-0048-19, Passaic Cnty. & Statewide) (record Impounded) (Consol.) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2021).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(a)(4): 51 cases
State v. Rodney J. Miles a/k/a Jamal D. Allen (077035) (Camden Cnty. & Statewide), 160 A.3d 23 (N.J. 2017). “In a separate municipal summons, defendant was charged with the disorderly-persons offense of possession of fifty grams or less of marijuana, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(4). Those charges arose from the same attempted sale.”
State v. Mandel, 187 A.3d 896 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018).
State of New Jersey v. Brian A. Green, 147 A.3d 876 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016).
State of New Jersey v. George A. Myers, 122 A.3d 994 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2015).
In re State, 182 A.3d 960 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(a)(4)(b): 3 cases
State v. Cornelius C. Cohen (N.J. 2023).
State of New Jersey v. Jorge L. Gomez (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025).
State of New Jersey v. Jorge L. Gomez (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(a)(l): 10 cases
Anthony Reyes v. Peter D. Keisler, 259 F. App'x 894 (8th Cir. 2008).
State v. Brown, 199 A.3d 822 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018).
State of New Jersey Vs. Tracy S. Anderson (16-02-0303, 16-04-0666, 17-03-0437, 16-11-1871 & 16-11-1872, Monmouth Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2020).
Paul King v. Attorney Gen. United States, 639 F. App'x 837 (3d Cir. 2016).
State of New Jersey Vs. Gregory King (14-02-0074, 14-10-0840 & 16-10-0822, Passaic Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2019).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(b): 5 cases
State of New Jersey v. Corey J. Barber (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2024).
State of New Jersey Vs. John M. King (98-05-0955, Bergen Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017).
Myers v. Advanced Stores Co., Inc. (D.N.J. 2020).
State of New Jersey Vs. Kenneth W. Verpent (09-09-1757, Bergen Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018).
Silva v. Attorney Gen. of the United States, 524 F. App'x 779 (3d Cir. 2013).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(b)(1): 2 cases
State of New Jersey v. Taviaus Wilson (2024).
State of New Jersey v. Rodger L. Purvis (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(b)(4): 1 case
State of New Jersey Vs. Shawn Nowicki (13-09-2268, Ocean Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(c): 17 cases
State of New Jersey v. Lee E. Moorer (13-09-0514, Salem Cnty. & Statewide), 151 A.3d 109 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2016). “In 1988, the Legislature "implement[ed] th[at] recommendation" by amending N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10 to add subsection (c) for "use[] only as a mechanism to downgrade simple possession, an indictable offense, to a disorderly-persons offense.”
State of New Jersey Vs. Claude L. Wallace (17-06-0425 & 17-06-0426, Union Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2021).
State of New Jersey v. Corey J. Barber (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2024).
State of New Jersey v. Jamie Cooper (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025).
State of New Jersey Vs. Alexander a. Andrews (17-09-1005, Middlesex Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2020).
N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(c)(a): 1 case
State of New Jersey v. Troy K. Russell (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025).
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