The agency overseeing New Jersey’s marijuana market made a move Thursday that aims to increase the number of cannabis businesses run by people with prior convictions for marijuana offenses or who live in economically disadvantaged parts of the state.
For one year starting Sept. 27, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission will accept requests for certain licenses — wholesaler, distributor, and delivery service class licenses — only from so-called social equity applicants, the commission decided at its Thursday meeting.
Commissioner Charles Barker moved to take the action, saying not enough has been done since the state’s recreational marijuana market debuted in April 2022 to help entrepreneurs who have been hurt by the drug war.
“Based on our current framework, I don’t believe social equity businesses — those most harmed by the failed war on drugs, that represents the people and communities that we want to see in the game — they’re not seeming to make it through the process to be considered for an award, let alone open up a business,” Barker said.
Out of 947 social equity applicants, less than 250 received approval as of December, agency officials said during Thursday’s meeting.