NJ Legal Marijuana Sales Could Start Soon; Board Approves Applications

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey officials approved applications from seven medical marijuana companies to expand into the recreational market on Monday, one of the final remaining hurdles before the general public will be able to legally buy weed in the state.

New Jersey voters approved recreational cannabis in a landmark November 2020 ballot question. Now, adults 21 and over are allowed to consume cannabis on private property.

While it's legal to possess small amounts of pot in New Jersey, there still isn't any place for Garden State residents to legally purchase cannabis … unless they're registered patients with the state medical marijuana program. Read More: 5 Things You Need To Know About Marijuana Legalization In NJ

Medical marijuana dispensaries are allowed to sell recreational cannabis under state's law, but have to prioritize their patients, who have been complaining about a chronic lack of supply and high prices for years. Read More: New Jersey Marijuana Patients Need Lower Prices, More Weed

Some advocates expected the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) to give clearance for medical dispensaries to begin recreational sales last month. That never happened for a simple reason, officials explained: there still wasn’t enough weed.

But things may finally be looking greener, officials say.

On Monday, the commission approved applications from seven alternative treatment centers to expand into the recreational cannabis business. Once they pass operational inspections and are issued new licenses, Acreage CCF New Jersey, Curaleaf, Columbia Care, Verano, GTI New Jersey, Ascend New Jersey, and TerrAscend will be able to cultivate cannabis, manufacture cannabis products, and conduct retail sales to the general public in 13 dispensaries across the state.

Jeff Brown, the executive director of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, said it could be less than 30 days before the companies gain final clearance to sell to the public, although it could possibly take longer, he added.

NJCRC Chair Dianna Houenou said that patient access and public safety remains the top priority.

“These approvals were given based on commitments from the ATCs that we would not see adverse effects with expansion,” Houenou said. “Expansion into the adult-use market – with a substantial advantageous start ahead of new applicants – is a privilege that must not be taken lightly.”

“We expect these ATCs to uphold their promises to patients and communities, and that recreational customers will be adequately served,” Houenou added. “The NJ-CRC will be holding these businesses accountable to the commitments that led to their approvals. It is now on these expanded ATCs to keep up with demand, both medicinal and recreational.”

In addition to the ATC expansions, the NJ-CRC also approved 34 conditional license applications for cannabis cultivators and manufacturers. It brings the number of conditional licenses approved so far to 102. Read More: NJ Issues Landmark Wave Of Marijuana Business Licenses

The New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association said it was "satisfied" with Monday's announcement.

The group released a statement, which partially read:

"This is a win for so many in our state. Not only will the adult-use market be especially beneficial to growing the economy and developing jobs in New Jersey, but the taxes from this now-legal marketplace will go directly to supporting social equity goals and assisting those who were disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs. Since New Jersey residents voted to legalize adult-use cannabis in November 2020, it has been a long road to receiving approval for selling safe, vetted products. Over the last two years, our member ATC operators have been working tirelessly to plan for this day, and have invested significant time, money and resources into expanding operations to prepare for a smooth transition to recreational sales without harming access or supply to New Jersey’s medical cannabis patients, who have always been and will continue to be our top priority."

State Senate President Nick Scutari, who has been critical of the delay for recreational sales, said he was happy to see that "progress has been made," but added that the state needs to "find ways to do better and in a timely way."

Scutari also said prices need to be brought down for medical marijuana patients.

"Affordability and availability must be priorities for medical consumers who rely on cannabis for health reasons," Scutari said.

"There are also issues of banking and social equity that should be reviewed," Scutari said. "We need to know that the provisions of the law that promote diversity in the industry are being implemented, and that resources will be provided to the communities that were adversely impacted by past drug laws."

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