New Jersey legal term
Drugs in New Jersey Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session
In New Jersey criminal law, “Drugs” 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 “Drugs” mean in New Jersey criminal law?
"Drugs" means (1) substances recognized in the official United States Pharmacopoeia, official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, or official National Formulary, or any supplement to any of them; and (2) substances intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals; and (3) substances, other than food, intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals; and (4) substances intended for use as a component of any substance specified in (1), (2), and (3) of this definition; but does not incl (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-2)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Death by auto or vessel
- Prescription legend drugs
- Sale by licensed pharmacy of hypodermic syringe or needle under certain circumstances
- Strict liability vehicular homicide
- Unlawful practice of dentistry; third degree crime
- Unlicensed practice of medicine, surgery, podiatric medicine, crime of third degree
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.