New Jersey legal term
Controlled dangerous substance in New Jersey Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session
In New Jersey criminal law, “Controlled dangerous substance” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the New Jersey criminal code.
What does “Controlled dangerous substance” mean in New Jersey criminal law?
"Controlled dangerous substance" means a drug, substance, or immediate precursor in Schedules I through V, marijuana and hashish as defined in this section, any substance the distribution of which is specifically prohibited in N.J.S.2C:35-3, in section 3 of P.L.1997, c.194 (C.2C:35-5.2), in section 5 of P.L.1997, c.194 (C.2C:35-5.3), in section 2 of P.L.2011, c.120 (C.2C:35-5.3a), or in section 2 of P.L.2013, c.35 (C.2C:35-5.3b), and any drug or substance which, when ingested, is metabolized or otherwise becomes a controlled dangerous substance in the human body. (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-2)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Possession, use or being under the influence, or failure to make lawful disposition
- Certain persons not to have weapons or ammunition
- Distribute, dispense or possess with intent to distribute or manufacture, crime of fourth degree
- Distribution on or within 1,000 feet of school property
- Employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme
- Human trafficking
- Imitation controlled dangerous substances; distribution, possession, manufacture, etc.; penalties
- Leader of Narcotics Trafficking Network
- Manufacturing, distributing or dispensing
- "Public place" defined; loitering to obtain or distribute CDS is a disorderly persons offense
- Rehabilitation program for persons with a substance use disorder
- Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Deaths
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.