The criteria for applications include a score of 1,000 points for things like financing and cultivation, which are weighted more heavily, and market diversification and diversity, weighted more lightly, according to an Aug. 9 pre-application presentation by the DOH.
The assistant commissioner of medical marijuana, Jefferey Brown, said during the presentation that the state is looking for a diverse applicant pool and for new people and ideas to drive competition.
African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey President John Harmon told ROI-NJ he has fielded at least a dozen calls in the past two weeks from national players searching for diverse firms, since that presentation.
“The interest in this medical cannabis industry has been very robust,” he said. “My translation is that it appears the inclusive language in the (application process) is working. I say it is working because we have received at this office a lot of calls from large out-of-state players, in-state players, as well as individuals looking at minority firms as vendors … as well as for employment opportunities.”
Harmon said his chamber has played a role in making some connections.