Cannabis is a flowering plant whose dried leaves and flowers are used for their effects on mood, relaxation, and perception. If you’re standing in a Fort Lee dispensary for the first time, that one-sentence definition covers the basics. It skips the parts that actually matter to a new shopper: what’s inside the plant, how it affects your body, and what New Jersey law says about buying and carrying it. This guide walks through all three.

You don’t need a science background to understand cannabis. You need a few key terms explained plainly, and a clear picture of the rules that apply here in Fort Lee.

Key Takeaways

• Cannabis is a plant genus containing over 100 compounds called cannabinoids, the two best-known being THC and CBD.
• Hemp and marijuana come from the same plant family; the legal difference is THC content, capped at 0.3% for hemp.
• Cannabis interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors that regulates mood, appetite, and more.
• Adults 21 and older can legally buy and possess cannabis in New Jersey, within specific purchase and possession limits.
• Products sold at a licensed NJ dispensary include flower, vapes, edibles, tinctures, and concentrates, each with a different onset time.

What Is Cannabis, Exactly?

Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes up to three recognized types: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Botanists debate whether these are truly separate species or variations of one. Growers and retailers still use the names to describe a plant’s general growth pattern and effects.

The parts of the plant used for consumption are mostly the dried flowers, sometimes called buds. These flowers are covered in tiny, sticky structures called trichomes, which produce the plant’s active compounds.

When people say “sativa,” “indica,” or “hybrid” on a dispensary label, they’re referencing this plant classification. Modern cannabis breeding has blurred these lines significantly. A strain’s actual effects come down more to its specific cannabinoid and terpene content than to the sativa/indica label alone.

Hemp vs. Marijuana: Same Plant, Different Rules

Hemp and marijuana are not different plants. They’re the same genus, separated by a single legal threshold: THC content. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is defined as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. That law removed hemp from federal controlled-substance status.

Marijuana, by contrast, refers to cannabis varieties bred for higher THC levels, sometimes 25% or more. That higher THC content is what triggers the intoxicating effects people associate with cannabis use. It’s why marijuana still falls under separate state licensing and regulation, even where hemp does not.

This distinction matters at the register. A hemp-derived CBD product bought online is regulated differently than the flower or edibles sold at a licensed New Jersey dispensary like ours. Both come from the same plant family, but the rules that apply are not the same.

The Compounds Inside Cannabis

Cannabis contains at least 125 identified cannabinoid compounds. Three groups matter most to a new shopper: THC, CBD, and terpenes.

THC

Delta-9-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the most abundant psychoactive cannabinoid in the plant. It’s the compound responsible for the intoxicating “high” associated with cannabis use. It’s also the number regulators use to draw the line between hemp and marijuana.

CBD

CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found alongside THC in the plant. It doesn’t produce a high on its own. The FDA has approved one CBD-based medication, Epidiolex, for treating seizures linked to two specific rare conditions. That approval shows CBD has recognized pharmacological activity, though most CBD products sold at retail are not FDA-approved drugs.

Terpenes

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds responsible for a strain’s smell, from citrusy to earthy to pine-like. They’re not unique to cannabis; the same compound classes show up in fruit peels and pine needles. Budtenders often use terpene profiles, alongside cannabinoid content, to describe how a product might feel.

How Cannabis Works in Your Body

Cannabis compounds interact with your endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors your body produces on its own, independent of cannabis use. Researchers identified the two main receptor types, CB1 and CB2, in the early 1990s.

CB1 receptors concentrate in the central nervous system, particularly the brain, and are the reason THC produces psychoactive effects. CB2 receptors concentrate in the immune system and don’t produce the same intoxicating response. This is why some cannabinoids, including CBD, can interact with your body’s systems without the high associated with THC.

Understanding this system helps explain why effects vary so much between products and people. Your body’s own receptor activity shapes how you respond just as much as the product’s cannabinoid content does.

Is Cannabis Legal in Fort Lee, NJ?

Yes. New Jersey voters approved adult-use cannabis legalization on November 3, 2020, amending the state constitution directly. Governor Murphy signed the CREAMM Act on February 22, 2021, creating the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) to oversee the industry. The state’s first licensed adult-use sales began April 21, 2022.

Here’s what that means for a Fort Lee shopper today:

• You must be 21 or older to purchase adult-use cannabis.
• You can buy up to 28.35 grams (1 ounce) of flower, or the equivalent in another product category, per transaction.
• You can legally possess up to 6 ounces of cannabis and cannabis products at one time.
• Transporting cannabis across state lines is illegal, even into another legal state, so keep your purchase in New Jersey.

New Jersey’s regulated market has grown fast. The state’s combined medicinal and adult-use cannabis sales surpassed $1 billion in 2024, a nearly 25% jump from the year before. By 2025, more than 396 licensed cannabis businesses were operating across 211 municipalities statewide. Fort Lee sits along that growth curve. Route 4 forms a well-trafficked retail corridor for shoppers coming from across Bergen County and over the George Washington Bridge.

What You’ll Find on the Shelf

A licensed New Jersey dispensary can carry several distinct product categories, each regulated under the same purchase limits described above:

• Flower. The dried bud itself, typically smoked or vaporized.
• Vape cartridges. Cannabis oil in a pre-filled cartridge for vaporizer use.
• Edibles. Infused gummies, chocolates, or other foods, measured in milligrams of THC.
• Tinctures. Liquid extracts taken under the tongue for faster absorption than food.
• Concentrates. Potent extracts like resin or oil, usually vaporized.

If you’re commuting through Fort Lee’s Route 4 corridor and stopping in for the first time, our budtenders can walk you through which category fits what you’re looking for, without any pressure to buy more than you came in for.

Flower vs. Edibles

New shoppers often ask which product type to start with. Here’s how the two most common categories compare:

Because edibles take longer to kick in, redosing too soon is one of the most common mistakes new shoppers make. Wait the full window before considering more, and always start with the lowest labeled dose. If you’re ever concerned you’ve consumed too much, New Jersey’s Poison Control Center is available at 1-800-222-1222.

Starting Your Cannabis Journey the Right Way

Cannabis is a plant with a specific set of active compounds, a legal framework that varies by state, and a growing regulated market right here in New Jersey. The most useful thing a new shopper can do is start low and ask questions. Treat the first purchase as a chance to learn what works for you, not a one-size-fits-all decision.

Fort Lee’s location, minutes from the George Washington Bridge and right along the Route 4 corridor, puts accurate answers from licensed staff close by. No guesswork required.

Explore Indoor Treez’s Collection

Ready to see what’s on our shelves? Browse our current menu of flower, vapes, edibles, and more. Stop in and ask our Fort Lee team any question before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cannabis the same thing as marijuana? Not exactly. Cannabis is the plant genus itself. Marijuana refers specifically to cannabis varieties with higher THC content, which is what’s sold at licensed adult-use dispensaries.

Do I need a medical card to buy cannabis in Fort Lee? No. Adults 21 and older can purchase adult-use cannabis in New Jersey without a medical card. A medical card is only required for the separate Medicinal Cannabis Program.

How much cannabis can I legally buy at once in New Jersey? You can purchase up to 28.35 grams (1 ounce) of flower, or the product-category equivalent, in a single transaction, and legally possess up to 6 ounces total.

What’s the difference between THC and CBD? THC is the primary intoxicating compound in cannabis, responsible for the “high.” CBD does not produce a high on its own and is studied for other effects, though most retail CBD products are not FDA-approved medications.

Cannabis remains illegal under federal law. Products purchased at Indoor Treez are intended for use only within New Jersey. Transporting cannabis across state lines, even between two states where cannabis is legal, is a federal offense. Please consume responsibly and within New Jersey’s borders.

Indoor Treez is a cannabis retailer licensed by the State of New Jersey. This product contains cannabis. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of the reach of children. There may be health risks associated with the consumption of this product, including for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on becoming pregnant. Do not drive a motor vehicle or operate heavy machinery while using this product.

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

[CONFIRM: wording verified live against N.J.A.C. 17:30-17.2(b)-(c) (Cornell LII / Justia, checked as part of this draft), New Jersey’s cannabis advertising-disclosure rule. That section shows no amendment since its March 6, 2023 recodification, so this text should be current, but re-check the NJ Administrative Code or nj.gov/cannabis immediately before publishing, since regulations amend on a rolling basis and this verification has a shelf life.]