What was once considered a stain on his record is now proving to be a blessing in disguise for Somerset resident Alex Stone, in the newly established recreational cannabis market in New Jersey.
“Upon getting my felony [for possession], my wife left me, I lost my kids — arguably I was a millionaire and I lost everything,” Stone told PIX11.
Newly adopted regulations released this week give priority to applicants with past cannabis-related criminal offenses, among other criteria.
It’s now opening a door to opportunity in the Garden State for the entrepreneur.
“It was a breath of fresh air,” Stone said. “The true measure will be: do licenses end up in hands like mine, and does the face of the business change?”