Share / View as a Webpage

In the last two months, the cannabis industry in New Jersey has seen some important changes:

• *New legislation have been introduced to address consumer safety and underage access to intoxicating hemp products.
• There are currently 41 cannabis cultivators operational which means the market now has a wider variety of products.
• We have been actively engaging with the patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and industry stakeholders through roundtables to gather feedback that will inform the updating of medicinal cannabis regulations.
• The Safe Use campaign continues to educate residents about responsible consumption, safe storage, and the importance of purchasing from licensed vendors. To date, the campaign has made over 54 million digital Impression and over 26 million out-of-home impressions.

*In a previous version of this email, 'new legislation' was referred to as 'new regulation.'

Chair’s Report: 

• Hemp Bill

Intoxicating hemp-derived products are often untested and widely accessible to young people. Senate Bill 3235 (P.L.2024, c.73) requires these products to be sold only through licensed facilities and that these businesses be regulated by the NJ-CRC. The NJ-CRC is collaborating with other state agencies to develop regulations for cultivating, manufacturing, distributing, and selling intoxicating hemp products, as well as for licensing businesses entering the market.

• Industry Reminders

Applicants are reminded that failure to address any issues with their applications will result in a lack of progress. It is essential for applicants to ensure the agency has a working email address and phone number and that they regularly check their email spam folders and voicemail for communications from NJ-CRC. If applicants need help with rectifying any issues with their applications, they are advised to contact the ODI, Office of Licensing, or the assigned investigator. Deficient applications will be removed from consideration. (Is there a timeline for removal?)

• Medicinal Cannabis Program Registration Clinics

The next round of Medicinal Cannabis Program (MCP) Registration Clinics starts today, September 24th, in Newark. During the registration clinics, existing and potential patients and caregivers can sign up or renew enrollment in the MCP. The registration clinics will be held in Trenton on Thursday, September 26th, and Atlantic City on Tuesday, October 1st. 

• 1,475 conditionals
• 367 conditional-to-annual conversions
• 194 annuals
• 78 expanded ATCs
• 291 Total: operating licenses (AU) and permits (Med) issued

Conditional-to-Annual conversion awarded on 9/19/24

• 20 conditional-to-annual conversion licenses
  • 3 cultivators
  • 1 manufacturer
  • 16 retailers

Annual license applications awarded on 9/4/24

• 19 annual licenses
  • 3 cultivators
  • 7 manufacturers
  • 8 retailers
  • 1 testing lab

  Expanded ATC Certifications

• Niche LLC, Class 1 Cultivator, 2600 71^st Street, North Bergen