Cannabis Industry Layoffs

New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission pushed back a bit on the idea that the industry is not opening up fast enough in New Jersey.

The comments came in response after Curaleaf, the largest distributor in the state, said last week it had to lay off workers at its Winslow production facility because they had enough product to handle what needed to be sold in the state’s 35 retail outlets.

Curaleaf, the leading grower and seller of cannabis in New Jersey, announced Monday that it is laying off 49 employees at its Winslow production facility, saying the slower-than-expected rollout of the sector has impacted the amount of product that can be sold, despite a strong market for it.

Curaleaf CEO Matt Darin said the company still believes in the cannabis market in the state — and that this job action has nothing to do with a dispute with the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission earlier this spring.

For the second time in the past four months, cannabis business behemoth Curaleaf is reducing its cultivation footprint in one of the newest adult-use markets in the country.

The New York-based multistate operator, which has more than 5,000 employees nationwide, announced this week that it’s laying off 49 workers at its Winslow cultivation and production facility in southern New Jersey. This facility became fully operational in 2021 in anticipation of the state’s adult-use sales launch, which happened in April 2022.

Several dozen people employed in New Jersey’s legal cannabis business are wondering if the magic has worn off of marijuana even before the state’s first high fully kicks in.

Curaleaf, currently the biggest player in the Garden State’s weed field, has announced that it will close its cultivation facility in Bellmwar and combine it with another grow location in Winslow Township. Curaleaf’s retail shop in Bellmawr will remain open and will not undergo any layoffs, but up to 40 workers at the cultivation center could lose their jobs.

“Curaleaf is phasing out cultivation at our Bellmawr, New Jersey location to meet current business needs, and will utilize that location for other operations at this time,” the statement noted.

“This allows us to consolidate our production of key platforms with our Winslow facility and will streamline processes to increase output.

“Winslow has the capacity to support New Jersey’s overall market demand.”

Miami-based multistate cannabis operator Ayr Wellness eliminated 180 jobs across the United States, a spokesperson confirmed to MJBizDaily.

The company has roughly 2,700 employees across the country.

“This decision was not made lightly but was a necessary part of the Company’s overall plan to improve efficiency and realign key priorities,” Ayr said in a statement.