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New Jersey legal term

Opiate in New Jersey Criminal Law

Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session

In New Jersey criminal law, “Opiate” 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 “Opiate” mean in New Jersey criminal law?

"Opiate" means any dangerous substance having substance use disorder-forming or substance use disorder-sustaining liability similar to morphine or being capable of conversion into a drug having such substance use disorder-forming or substance use disorder-sustaining liability. (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-2)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.