Police in Jersey City last week raided a black market marijuana "pop-up" event — of the sort chronicled in a recent USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey report — described by police as a literal "market" where weed was sold in various forms.
At least 13 people were arrested late April 25 and April 26 on various marijuana charges, stretching from possession of under 50 grams of pot to possession of over 50 grams with the intent to distribute, according to municipal court records.
The arrests, which have not been publicly announced by police or city officials, were all listed under the same Jersey City police case number, which the Network confirmed is linked to the same black market marijuana pop-up.
In March, the Network took readers inside a similar marijuana pop-up near Trenton where, as in Jersey City, the purveyors publicized the event on social media, including descriptions of particular strains of illegal weed and various cannabis-infused products. Check out photos of what as available in a gallery at the top of the page.
Marijuana in various forms, including dried flower, edibles and concentrates, is displayed for sale at a black market "pop-up" event. (Photo: Courtesy photo)
That pop-up operated just 600 feet from police headquarters.
Last week's crackdown, which came amid ongoing efforts in New Jersey to legalize weed, was an emphatic statement by the authorities that the drug remains every bit illegal in the Garden State, save for the state's medical marijuana program.