The 146 applications were reviewed by a six-person committee consisting of four DOH representatives and one each from the Departments of Agriculture and Treasury. Their expertise included medical marijuana, ATC regulation, lab testing, plant science, diversity and procurement. Prior to scoring the applications, committee members received implicit bias training from the state’s Chief Diversity Officer to ensure an impartial selection process.
This was an objective, data-driven selection process. The committee scored the applications and then DOH chose the top scorers in each region. Some applicants applied for more than one region but the Department only allowed an applicant to be chosen for one region.
North
1. NETA NJ, LLC – Phillipsburg
2. GTI New Jersey, LLC – Paterson
Central
1. Verano NJ LLC – Elizabeth (Dispensary), Rahway (Cultivation Site)
2. Justice Grown – Ewing
South
1. MPX New Jersey – Atlantic City (Dispensary), Galloway (Cultivation)
2. Columbia Care New Jersey – Vineland
As part of the application process, applicants were required to identify the region of the state where they would operate an Alternative Treatment Center (ATC). There were 50 applicants for the northern region, 45 in the central region and 51 in the southern region.