FAQ About Shopping For Recreational Cannabis at Blue Oak Dispensary

New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization (CREAMM) Act allows adults 21 years or older to purchase, carry, and consume cannabis legally.

Products you’ll find sold at legal, licensed dispensaries include:

• Flower 
• Pre-rolls 
• Vapes 
• Edibles 
• Concentrates
• Topicals 
• Tinctures
• CBD products

The limits for cannabis purchases in NJ are as follows:

• 1 ounce of cannabis flower (28 grams)
• 4 grams of concentrates
• 4 grams of vape products
• 1,000 mg of edibles
• Any combination of products that totals 1 ounce of cannabis flower

You must bring a valid, non-expired, government-issued photo ID. This ID proves that you are of the 21+ legal age when visiting Blue Oak or any other NJ dispensary. Applicable forms of photo identification include:

• Driver’s license
• Government-issued non-driver ID 
• Passport

No, a medical card is not required to shop at a recreational dispensary in New Jersey. You simply need to be 21 years or older and have a valid photo ID.

According to state law, you are only allowed to consume cannabis in the following locations: 

• Private property: You can consume cannabis at home, but property owners can restrict usage. Be sure to review your lease agreement if you’re renting.
• Licensed dispensaries with onsite consumption areas: NJ permits licensed dispensaries to operate in designated consumption areas. Once up and running, these spaces will provide a safe and enjoyable spot for cannabis use.

Recreational cannabis consumption is always prohibited on federal lands, in federal buildings, or in public areas where smoking is not allowed.

All cannabis transactions are subject to New Jersey sales tax of 6.625%. Municipalities in NJ may also charge a Local Cannabis Transfer Tax of up to 2% on sales of recreational cannabis. Our hometown of Bloomfield charges this 2% tax.

Amendments to the NJ’s cannabis laws made it possible for cannabis delivery businesses to start. While we haven’t started delivery at Blue Oak yet, it’s coming!

The name Blue Oak was chosen in honor of the blue cannabis flowers — yes, cannabis comes in colors other than green! — that are by far some of the most beautiful you will find. 

Oak trees are symbols of wisdom, strength, and healing, which are the core tenets of the services we provide at Blue Oak.

You can easily pre-order your favorite products online. Browse our menu, select what you want, and place your order. When you arrive at Blue Oak, your items will be ready for pickup either inside or curbside.

Consumption is not permitted on Blue Oak’s premises. Keep your products packaged up until you are home or in a legal and safe environment.

Blue Oak offers a huge variety of products, including flower, pre-rolls, vapes, concentrates, edibles, tinctures, topicals, and more. 

Some of the most popular local brands you can expect to find are Garden Greens, Miss Gras, and Full Tilt Labs. 

Cannabis is a plant that can produce physical and psychoactive effects when consumed.

The plant contains hundreds of naturally occurring compounds called “cannabinoids.” The most commonly known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol, or “THC,” the intoxicating compound that gives consumers a “high.”

The other popular cannabinoid is cannabidiol, “CBD,” a non-intoxicating, medicinal compound that can bring feelings of mellowness, pain relief, and comfort.

CBD is federally legal in all 50 states and can be bought in any store that carries CBD products, from gas stations to full-blown CBD stores. 

THC products, however, can only be purchased in medical or legal adult-use dispensaries — anywhere else, and it’s illegal. 

Dispensaries sell CBD products, too, and will offer much better quality than the gas station CBD.

The key takeaway: THC is intoxicating, while CBD is not.

Cannabis products are derived from 1 of 3 subspecies of the plant — cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, or a hybrid of the two. 

Each one is associated with different effects, although it’s not a perfect science. Manufacturers generally label a product as sativa, indica, or hybrid accordingly: 

• Sativa products are associated with uplifting and energizing “head highs” that can help with stress and anxiety, stimulate creativity, and focus the brain. They’re often used during the daytime.
• Indica products are associated with relaxing and relieving effects that may help with pain relief, lack of sleep, and lack of appetite, and are known to produce euphoria. They’re often used in the evening.
• Hybrid cannabis products utilize properties from both sativa and indica plants, producing a mixture of body and cerebral effects.

That being said, keep in mind that cannabis products do not always fit into this rubric. In fact, indica, sativa, and hybrid describe the plant’s phenotype, or what it physically looks like. It’s the plant’s genotype, or the compounds inside the plant, that are the true drivers of your experience. This means that an indica strain may have energizing effects, or a sativa strain may have sedating effects. Our Cannabis Care Specialists can help you make the right selection for your needs.

While all cannabis products either come from sativa, indica, or hybrid subspecies, there are hundreds of genetic variations of each. This is what cannabis growers call “strains.”

The strain name is included in a product’s name, such as Sour Diesel (sativa), Blue Dream (sativa-dominant hybrid), Northern Lights (indica), and Wedding Cake (indica-dominant hybrid). There are many hundreds of cannabis strains. Each strain has different effects, some subtle and some more dramatic.

Flower: The trimmed and cured bud of a female cannabis plant. There are different varieties of cannabis flower, which we call strains. Each strain has a unique flavor and combination of active compounds that support a unique effect. Explore different strains to find out which best suits your needs. You can buy flower as whole flower that you prepare at home, pre-ground for easy rolling or bowl-filling, or in pre-roll form.

Edibles: Food items made with cannabis flower or concentrates. Edibles are absorbed through the digestive system, resulting in delayed onset compared to inhalation and sublingual delivery (administered underneath the tongue). While it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours to feel the effects, edibles provide a longer duration of effects when compared to other consumption methods. Some fast-acting edibles may take effect in less than 45 minutes.

Concentrates: Much stronger than cannabis flower, concentrates are made through various extraction techniques to separate the desired compounds from the plant material. Concentrates are available in many forms, including shatter, wax, rosin, and sauce. They are consumed through a portable electronic device or stationary “dab” rig that vaporizes the concentrate at very high temperatures. They can also be mixed with flower to supercharge a bowl or pre-roll.

Topicals: These are cannabis-infused creams, lotions, or balms designed for external use. They are absorbed through the skin, providing localized relief without the intoxicating effects associated with other consumption methods. Topicals are ideal for enjoying the benefits of cannabis without feeling high.

Tinctures: These are liquid extracts typically made by infusing cannabis in alcohol or another solvent. Tinctures are administered sublingually (under the tongue) for quick absorption, offering a discreet and convenient way to consume cannabis. They allow for precise dosing and can also be added to food and drinks for a more versatile experience.

• Inhalation: Flower, pre-rolls, and vaporizers are all inhaled.
• Ingestion: Edibles, beverages, and capsules are all ingested like food.
• Sublingual: Tinctures are placed under the tongue.
• Topical: Creams and lotions are applied to your skin.

The most common side effects you may experience are dry eyes or dry mouth. Keep a water bottle nearby — be sure to stay hydrated during your session.

Aside from dry eyes and dry mouth, you may experience:

• Hunger. Also known as “the munchies,” wanting to snack after consuming cannabis is a very real sensation.
• Increased heart rate. If your heart feels like it’s beating a little faster, this is not uncommon.
• Anxiety. If you take too much THC, it can have the opposite of a relaxing effect. That’s why we always say that you should start with a little bit of cannabis, whether it’s the first or the 50th time you’ve consumed.
• Lots and lots of giggles. Pop on your favorite comedy and get ready to laugh, laugh, and  laugh some more.