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This month’s cannabis news kicks off with a number that has the attention of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission: 12.4%. That is the increase in the average THCA levels in New Jersey cannabis between 2023 and 2025 - from 24.21% to 27.21%. Public safety is an NJ-CRC mandate, and during the August 7 public meeting, Acting Executive Director Chris Riggs reported the agency has launched an investigation to find out the reason or reasons for the increase. “Cannabis hasn’t changed much from 2023 to 2025,” he said, “but the percentage of THC seems to go up, so we want to make sure we understand why.”
And speaking about safety, the first consumption areas have begun to open in the state, and we want to ensure consumers are informed about the rules and how to ensure everyone’s well-being at the establishment and after. See the latest issue of High Points blog, which breaks down what consumption areas are, and how they work.
On the latest High Points podcast, director of Government Affairs, Matthew Craig, takes listeners behind the scenes of how the NJ-CRC works with municipal leaders to shape safe, compliant local cannabis markets. He also gets into how much control towns really have over cannabis businesses, and why opting in can be a win for communities.
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 This month, I want to highlight important issues to ensure that business owners make informed decisions as they navigate the regulatory landscape.
Caution for entrepreneurs & applicants:
Selling/buying licenses
Buying a conditional license does not give you access to an operating cannabis business. Conditional licenses do not permit growing, processing, or selling cannabis. Be wary of potential fraudsters who may try to convince you to purchase something that does not represent a legitimate cannabis business. Learn more about the licensing process on our website.
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Early business decisions
We hear often at our public meetings that license applicants spend large sums of money to prepare for opening cannabis businesses. While the goal is to start quickly, rushing can lead to significant setbacks and financial loss. Remember, construction does not need to be completed before an annual license is rewarded.
Applicants should also be mindful about accepting and spending investor funds before securing approvals for their Financial Security Agreements (FSAs).
Newsletters
Regardless of your interest in New Jersey's cannabis industry, there's an information source for you.
- For cannabis business operators, applicants, and others with interest in the market, there is Cannabis Business News - a quarterly publication for cannabis business operators and applicants. Read the first issue.
- For healthcare providers who want to stay informed about the Medicinal Cannabis Program and the therapeutic uses of cannabis, there is Doctor's Notes - a quarterly publication for healthcare providers. Read the first issue.
- For municipal government leaders and administrators, Municipal Cannabis is a quarterly newsletter that offers information on how towns can work with the NJ-CRC and optimize participation in New Jersey’s growing cannabis market.
Subscribe to one (or more) of our newsletters, read our blog, listen to our podcast episodes, and follow us on social media. Stay in the loop!
 Public meeting updates
The NJ-CRC Board voted to approve and/or deny the below items. If you want to obtain detailed specifics, you can access the meeting slides and recording on the Public Meeting page.
Rescinding actions
Safe-Use campaign contract award
- The Board voted to award the one-year, $1 million contract to SETROC Group.
Cannabis business considerations
- Applications for permit or license changes
- 1 capacity, physical plant, or premises change
- 7 ownership changes
- Cannabis business applications
- 3 conditional-to-annual conversions
- 7 annual licenses
- 29 annual license renewals
Rule waiver requests
- Denied:
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(WR021) (Curaleaf NJ) Waiver of the requirement under N.J.A.C. 17:30-19.5(b) to conduct stability testing on a per-batch basis, requesting instead to conduct product-family-based stability testing
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(WR027) (New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association) Waiver of the requirement under N.J.A.C. 17:30-11.8 (c)(2) to extend the expiration date of cannabis products from six (6) months from the manufacture or cultivation date to 12 months from the manufacture or cultivation date
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(WR029) (Nova Farms Woodbury) Waiver of the requirement under N.J.A.C. 17:30-16.5(a)(6)(i) that packaging may not be attractive to children
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(WR030) (Inclusion Gourmet) Waiver of the requirement under N.J.A.C. 17:30-11.5(e)(4) that ingestible products shall be a non-TCS food item
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(WR031) (Nova Farms Woodbury) Waiver of the requirement under N.J.A.C. 17:30-16.2(f) and N.J.A.C. 17:30-16.5(a)(6) that "all" packaging for cannabis items shall be of a single color and not attractive to children
Notices of enforcement action
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(INV-29-25) Lovegrow Company LLC - Failure to utilize METRC plant tags
- The Board voted to impose a $1,000 penalty
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(INV-59-25) Dank Poet Dispensary - Failure to prevent on-site consumption, failure to comply with product sales limits, and failure to collect required New Jersey sales tax
- The Board voted to impose a $5,000 penalty for failing to prevent on-site consumption, a $2,000 penalty for failing to comply with product sales limits, and a $500 penalty for failing to collect the required NJ sales tax
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(INV-74-2025) Green Medicine NJ LLC - Failure to use approved areas for trimming, packaging, and storage of cannabis products
- The Board voted to impose $20,000 penalty
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(INV-75-2025) Brute's Roots LLC - Failure to comply with transport regulations by using a marked vehicle for cannabis transportation
- The Board voted to impose a $5,000 penalty
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(INV-81-2025) CREAM Retail Dispensary - Failure to ensure proper age verification procedures by having personnel stationed at front door
- The Board voted to impose a $500 penalty
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(INV-83-2025) Curaleaf NJ LLC - Failure to maintain a Labor Peace Agreement with a bona fide labor organization
- The Board voted to impose a $5,000/day penalty for 122 days ($610,000 in total)
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(INV-86-2025) Botera Union LLC - Failure to maintain proper employment procedures, follow age verification processes, and comply with product sales limits
- The Board voted to impose a $1,000 for failing to maintain proper employment procedures, $3,500 for failing to comply with sales limits, and a $500 penalty for failing to follow age verification processes
Delegated authority
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The Board voted to approve delegated authority to the Acting Executive Director to decide whether to issue a 90-day administrative extension of an annual license/permit expiration date in circumstances when the Commission does not have sufficient number of members to take action on the renewal of said license or permit. The duration of the delegated authority should continue until rescinded or modified by the Board.
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