Harmony Not Approved By State To Sell Recreational Marijuana

SECAUCUS, NJ — Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Harmony was approved by the state to sell recreational marijuana. The state actually did not approve its application.

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For reasons unknown, Harmony Dispensary — the medical marijuana shop located in Secaucus — was not approved by the state of New Jersey this week to expand into recreational marijuana sales.

Harmony president and CEO Shaya Brodchandel said he had no idea why the state declined to approve Harmony, calling it "inexplicable" and "a needless delay."

In July, Harmony applied to the state to sell recreational marijuana, and expected to be on Thursday's agenda before the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Brodchandel said in this NJ.com article he very much expected to get the state's approval Thrusday.

However, for reasons unknown, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) did not bring their application up for a vote.

"The board meeting agendas are set by the chair in consultation with staff, and Harmony was never on the October 27 agenda," said Toni-Anne Blake, a spokeswoman for New Jersey's Cannabis Regulatory Commission. "Harmony’s certification remains under review. Also, no one is guaranteed a particular outcome from Board considerations."

"We are disappointed that the Cannabis Regulatory Commission failed to act on our certification to enter the adult-use market as the first non-profit, NJ-based operator," said Brodchandel in a statement released to the media.

"Despite satisfying all CRC requirements, this needless delay impacts our immediate hiring plans, meaning the men and women of the communities we serve must also wait for good paying jobs," he continued. "This inexplicable lack of action on Harmony’s application is an opportunity lost for our social equity efforts, medicinal programming, workforce development as well as the communities we serve."

"While we consider our options, we will continue to provide the highest quality and most affordable medical cannabis to our long-standing patients. We hope the CRC upholds their commitment to expanding the industry by granting Harmony the opportunity to enter the dual market," he added.

It's widely known Harmony very much wants to expand into recreational marijuana sales. Harmony has long said on their website they planned to start selling recreational weed "in the very near future."

On Thursday, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission approved 18 other new pot licenses across the state.

To give a picture of how booming New Jersey's marijuana industry is, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission has given out 801 marijuana business licenses since the state legalized weed last year.

Should they get state approval, Harmony does not need any further approval from the town of Secaucus: They can begin selling both medical and recreational marijuana immediately.

Any other new pot business seeking to open in Secaucus would have to first get a license from the town.

This past March, the town of Secaucus created a very limited zone in which marijuana businesses can operate in town. In fact, the zone is limited to one specific building: The grey, rectangular building on Castle Road that currently houses Harmony. A maximum of five lots inside the building could be used for marijuana-based businesses.

Other pot-related businesses have indeed expressed interest in opening there, Secaucus town administrator Gary Jeffas told Patch a few weeks ago, but none so far have formally applied.

Brodchandel also plans to open two new marijuana shops in Hudson County, in Hoboken and Jersey City. Those would also be called Harmony and would sell both medical and recreational marijuana.

Related: Behind-the-Scenes Tour When Harmony First Opened In Secaucus (2018)