After Mercer Rally NJ Reverses Decision, Allows Curaleaf To Sell Cannabis

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — On Monday, New Jersey reversed its decision to deny Curaleaf license to sell recreational cannabis in the state.

This comes after employees and supporters held a protest rally outside the Cannabis Regulatory Commission's office in Trenton Monday.

Last week the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission's Board declined Curaleaf’s permit to sell marijuana at two of its locations – at Bellmawr and Edgewater Park.

"Today's decision by the CRC Board to vacate their unprecedented action last week is an incredible victory for our 500 NJ team members and vindication for what we knew all along: Curaleaf is in good standing with the CRC and has fulfilled every requirement necessary for the renewal of our licenses,” Curaleaf CEO Matt Darin said in a statement.

“I am incredibly proud of and grateful to every one of the hundreds of dedicated team members who showed up today, not just for their jobs and livelihoods, but for a better, safer cannabis industry in New Jersey."

Curaleaf is one of the largest cannabis companies in the country and employs over 500 people in the Garden State.

During last Thursday’s CRC Board meeting, officials said Curaleaf failed to give them proper notice that it was laying off 40 workers at its grow site in Bellmawr.

On Monday, Curaleaf Chairman Boris Jordan said the company will “continue working collaboratively with the CRC Board and its staff to ensure our good standing in the State of New Jersey."

However, Curaleaf’s license renewal comes with conditions.

As part of the approval, Curaleaf will provide the Commission with additional information regarding its labor practices and confirm its ongoing compliance with New Jersey law.

This includes providing updates on intended changes to operations in the state and evidence of good faith effort to reach collective bargaining agreement with union workers.

Curaleaf closed its cultivation site in Bellmawr effectively leaving 40 employees without jobs. The company said the decision was taken to “consolidate production” at one facility. However, others said the closure was in response to workers attempting to unionize.

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