NJ Cannabis Board Seeks Public Input On Social Equity Projects

NEW JERSEY — The following news release comes courtesy of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) will be hosting three virtual meetings to listen to public suggestions for how funds raised from cannabis fees and fines should be used for social equity projects. Input collected at the meetings and in written submissions will inform the Commission’s recommendations to the governor and legislature.

The meetings will be held on Wednesday, March 2, Wednesday, March 9, and Wednesday, March 16 and chaired by Commissioners Krista Nash and Charles Barker.

“Social equity is woven through every part of the recreational cannabis market in New Jersey, including ensuring revenue is used to bring economic development and social resources to our most challenged communities,” said Commissioner Nash.

The CREAMM Act, which legalized recreational cannabis, requires that all the tax revenue, fees, and fines the NJ-CRC collects be deposited into the CREAMM Fund and for the New Jersey Legislature to appropriate investments in designated Impact Zones, and other things. Additionally, Social Equity Excise Fees collected from recreational cannabis cultivators are to be used for social equity investments. The public meetings and the recommendations are required in the law.

Though the meetings will be open to everyone, the commissioners will be seeking ideas specific to North Jersey on March 2, Central Jersey on March 9, and South Jersey on March 16. The public can register to speak in person at one of the three meetings or submit a written comment on nj.gov/cannabis.

“For me, success for using these dollars will be measured by how well communities most harmed by the failed war on drugs are provided transformative opportunities for economic growth, generational wealth, and improved living standards,” said Commissioner Barker. “I look forward to listening to the ideas residents and organizations bring to us for making lives better across New Jersey.”

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission establishes and enforces the rules and regulations governing the licensing, cultivation, testing, selling, and purchasing of cannabis in the state.

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