Cannabis Conference, Expo Coming To Parsippany

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Weed dispensaries remain illegal in Parsippany. But the township will become the site of a three-day conference about the cannabis industry.

The Cannabis Quality Conference & Expo will run from Oct. 17-19 at Hilton Parsippany. Organizers promised hands-on education, networking and business discussions about the evolving weed industry. See prices for registration here.

This year's event will debut two new features, according to conference host Cannabis Industry Journal. "Investigations & Enforcement: A Former Federal Prosecutor’s Perspective" will feature panel interviews on federal investigations, Justice Department prosecutions and white-collar offenses. "Compliance is Key: Best Practices for Your New Jersey Cannabis Business" will include discussions on compliance culture, quality controls and New Jersey regulations.

The keynote speaker is Tori Hutchinson, CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project — an organization that seeks to legalize cannabis nationwide.

Find more event information.

In a 2020 referendum, about two-thirds of New Jersey voters approved a measure to legalize recreational cannabis for adults in the state. It took about 18 months until certain dispensaries could begin selling recreational weed, with April 21 marking the first day of sales.

Parsippany won't get a dispensary for the time being. The Township Council in July 2021 voted to allow limited cannabis wholesale and distribution establishments but to continue prohibiting dispensaries.

Council members expressed openness to potentially allowing more types of cannabis businesses in the future. But New Jersey gave cities and towns an Aug. 22, 2021, deadline to prohibit certain types of weed businesses before a five-year window in which they can't enact further bans. Read more: Parsippany Pot Ordinance Passes, Allowing For Some Businesses