It is “no small task,” commission Chairwomen Dianna Houenou said during Monday’s inaugural meeting, adding that New Jersey can provide the nation a model for legalization “by applying the values of safety and equity.”
In an earlier interview with NJ Spotlight News, Houenou promised to “instill a culture where every decision we make is through the lens of equity.”
And the clock is ticking.
“Now, this will take time,” Houenou cautioned. “It will take us several weeks before we develop procedures to guide our operations and hire full-time staff.”
Gov. Phil Murphy recently said that over-the-counter sales of recreational marijuana could commence as early as late summer or fall. Lawmakers are also at work on the plan for legalization, moving on bills to allow people to grow their own plants and other measures they say are needed now that the marijuana industry is almost here.
Deadline for regulators
Under the legal weed laws, the commission has six months from February to adopt an array of industry rules and regulations before it can start accepting applications for various permits and licenses, including those to run dispensaries, cultivation centers and delivery companies.
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Senate Bill 3582
Senate Bill 3582
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/S4000/3582_I1.PDF