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We are pleased to introduce Cannabis Business News, a quarterly newsletter from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) created specially for cannabis business operators.
We hope Cannabis Business News will be your go-to source for policy and regulatory updates, and practical tools and resources to support a compliant and successful cannabis business operation.
Whether you're newly awarded, licensed, or already in operation, our goal is to keep you informed, prepared, and connected. Be sure to share with your team and encourage them to subscribe.
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Cannabis Training Academy
The New Jersey Business Action Center's (NJBAC) Cannabis Training Academy is a free resource available to you. This no-cost technical assistance program offers more than 60 online courses designed for both new and current cannabis operators, cannabis employees, and cannabis entrepreneurs who want to learn about all of the required documents they'll need to submit to the NJ-CRC for license consideration. You will learn about the history of cannabis legalization to how to prepare your application to how to write strong Standard Operating Procedures, business plans, and more—all at your own pace.
To help cannabis businesses and their employees meet state badging and license renewal requirements, the CTA recently launched a new Cannabis Business Identification Cards (CBIC) training course comprising of eight modules that cover cannabis history, cultivation, health risks, medical uses, and key regulations related to packaging, labeling, and advertising. The topics inside the CTA's CBIC training courses all meet the legal mandate for acquiring, or renewing, your cannabis ID badge. The three optional courses help cannabis workers and businesses navigate initial CBIC badge applications, badging renewals, and employers' annual license renewals. While not part of the required eight-course badging curriculum, these optional courses support compliance and save time.
If you are a soon-to-be badged cannabis employee or employer, need to renew your badge ID and complete ongoing educational training, or need insight on how to renew your annual license as an operator, head to CTA.NJ.GOV to register for the no-cost Cannabis Training Academy and badging curriculum. You may also watch an additional orientation video on YouTube.
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Avoiding violations
Proactive compliance is key to operating successfully in New Jersey’s regulated cannabis market. Each license holder has a dedicated NJ-CRC compliance officer—get to know yours. They can help clarify rules and prevent missteps before they become violations.
The definitions of violations and the classification of violations can be found in the Personal-Use Cannabis Rules (N.J.A.C. 17:30-20). Use it as a guide to audit your operations regularly.
Below is a primer of cannabis violations and the associated penalties.
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Category 1 (most severe)
- Shows a pattern of violating Commission regulations which poses serious risk of harm to health, safety, or welfare.
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Example: Repeatedly selling contaminated products
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Penalty: License revocation
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Category 2
- Failure to comply with administrative requirements which poses an immediate and serious risk of harm or actual harm to health, safety or welfare.
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Example: Selling or transferring cannabis to minors.
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Penalty: Up to $500,000 fine, suspension, revocation.
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Category 3
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Submission of fraudulent, false or misleading information to the Commission; or falsifying or concealing records.
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Example: Falsifying required testing results.
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Penalty: Up to $500,000 fine, revocation.
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Category 4
- Failure to register with the Commission, obtain a Cannabis Business Identification Card, complete training courses, or have the ID card on hand when required.
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Example: Employees working without the required NJ-CRC ID card.
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Penalty: Fines from $10,000 to $50,000 suspension.
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Category 5
- Violations of other Commission regulations or municipality ordinances that do not constitute a major violation.
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Example: Improper record-keeping or product labeling issues.
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Penalty: Fines from $5,000 to $50,000
Additional info and resources
Penalties can escalate with repeat offenses, and each day not in compliance counts as a separate violation.
Disclaimer: The violations category summarizes NJ-CRC regulations; see N.J.A.C. 17:30-20.7 for details. The examples provided are descriptive only and are not definitive or considered legal advice.
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Cannabis consumption areas
Starting on July 2, 2025, the NJ-CRC will begin accepting consumption area application endorsements for all Class 5 retail operators! Interested in applying for an endorsement? Check out the "how-to" video for a step-by-step rundown of how to apply for a cannabis consumption area endorsement.
Cannabis consumption areas are attached to licensed dispensaries, must have municipal approval and comply with strict regulations to ensure public safety.
Endorsement application fee: $1,000 total ($200 submission fee + $800 upon approval). Annual licensing fees: $1,000 for microbusinesses and $5,000 for standard businesses.
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Other ways to stay updated
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