NJ’s Cannabis Commission Violates The Law, Says NJ NAACP
A letter obtained by Gothamist/WNYC shows the civil rights organization's lawyer demanding that the state reveal the backgrounds of the five appointed commission members.
A letter obtained by Gothamist/WNYC shows the civil rights organization's lawyer demanding that the state reveal the backgrounds of the five appointed commission members.
As several states see record-setting cannabis sales despite a global economic downturn, advocates and business owners are concerned that the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is delaying the creation of an equitable cannabis industry.
While smaller equity applicants from marginalized communities are denied access to the market, police departments and major corporations are cashing in on ancillary cannabis contracts worth multiple millions of dollars.
So imagine my (not at all) surprise when I scrolled across a tweet from [Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor LLC], the most politically-influential (hashtag-loving) law firm in South Jersey:
The #NJ & #PA #cannabis industry can look to #floriolaw for comprehensive #legal counsel from #business formation, governmental affairs, #licensing and permitting to #local land use applications. http://floriolaw.com/practice-areas #lehighvalley #cannabislaw #legalizedcannabis #lawyer #law
State cannabis regulators halted all business of a licensee that has locations in Sheffield and Attleboro as they investigate an owner who "allegedly conspired to evade Commonwealth licensing and drug laws, thereby posing an imminent danger to public health, safety, and welfare."
In a press release Friday, the Cannabis Control Commission reminded residents that even possessing, much less consuming, cannabis on federal waterways remains illegal, due to its continued (albeit controversial) classification as a prohibited Schedule 1 drug.
“The Commission expects adults who choose to consume cannabis in Massachusetts to know the laws, including the federal restrictions that are still in place,” CCC commissioner Jennifer Flanagan said. “If you are planning to take a boat ride this summer in federal waters, leave your cannabis at home.”
The measure makes a number of changes. It increases the limit that can be dispensed from 2 ounces to 3 ounces for 18 months after the law goes into effect, with a commission the measure establishes setting the limit afterward.
It boosts a patient's supply from 90 days to one year and allows for home delivery to patients.
Q: When will we know about new dispensaries? Three-hour drives are impossible for sick people. (Ellen D.M.)
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A: It'll take a while, Ellen.
The Department of Health just issued its request for applications for new medical marijuana dispensaries, cultivators or manufacturers. Applications are due by Aug. 16, but the DOH hasn't put a timeline on when it expects to make a decision.
The effort comes amid stalled legislation to legalize recreational marijuana. Murphy this week declined to say whether he'd support the medical marijuana legislation.
Under the expansion, the number of cultivators' licenses would increase to 23. Currently, there are six treatment centers, with six more planned.
The measure also establishes a five-person commission to oversee the program. Currently it's overseen by the Health Department.
Recreational marijuana legalization is stalled in both New York and New Jersey—partly because some lawmakers of color say the proposals don’t go far enough in making certain that the communities hit hardest by arrests from illegal drugs aren’t locked out of the newly regulated weed industry.
Across the border in Massachusetts, experts and regulators say that New Yorkers are right to be worried.
Legislative leaders might waive the advice and consent process on Gov. Phil Murphy’s nominees to a proposed commission that would govern New Jersey‘s legal cannabis market, three legislative sources said. The softening of the lawmakers’ stance could help clear the way for a deal on marijuana legalization that could come by the end of the week, the sources said.
get your FL Office of Medical Marijuana Use card!
get your MD Medical Cannabis Commission card!