Cannabis Regulatory Commission

One month into the nascent cannabis industry’s launch, consumers have purchased $24 million in recreational weed, regulators said during a meeting Tuesday where more permits for dispensaries were approved.

Another five medical-only dispensaries will soon be able to start selling adult-use cannabis, joining the 12 dispensaries that started selling recreational weed on April 21. The new locations will be Garden State Dispensaries in Woodbridge, Union, and Eatontown; The Apothecarium in Lodi; and Ascend in Montclair.

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission announced the next wave of conditionally approved cannabis retailers, cultivators, and manufacturers in the state.

Eleven recreational cannabis retailers were awarded conditional approval on Tuesday.

There were a total of 46 conditional license awardees: 22 class I cultivator applicants, 13 class II manufacturer applicants, and 11 retailer applicants.

Four testing labs were also approved on Tuesday. Those will start operating under recreational cannabis regulations.

AYR Wellness, a marijuana company which currently operates three medical-only NJ dispensaries in Union, Eatontown and North Woodbridge, was previously rejected by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) for approval to open for recreational use in New Jersey.

Why? Apparently they had problems proving to the CRC that they could meet the demand for both medical and recreational marijuana.

Montclair, which missed out on getting first crack at recreational marijuana sales when New Jersey allowed sales on April 21, is now looking at next month for adult-use sales.

Last week, the Township Council adopted a resolution allowing Ascend Wellness, which currently sells medical marijuana in town, to also sell adult-use cannabis.

Ascend's application for a state license is now with the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission, and company officials hope it will be approved at the CRC's next meeting on May 24.

The New Jersey Supreme Court case that could decide how cannabis impairment is — or isn’t — measured by police is nearing a conclusion with multiple ramifications.

In question is the protocol and use of specially trained officers known as Drug Recognition Experts (DREs), who perform marijuana sobriety tests. The case, State v. Olenowski, involves the state Office of the Public Defender challenging the scientific validity of how police officers detect drug impairment, including on drivers suspected to be under the influence of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.

For now, at least, the out-of-the-way facility in Egg Harbor Township is the closest location to buy legal cannabis for Cape May County residents, although that’s likely to change. The Borough Commission in West Cape May has supported two cannabis business proposals, a necessary step for those applying for licenses from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission.

The governing body supported the license application for Potent Petal LLC and Shorehouse Canna, LLC, according to Mayor Carol Sabo.

New Jersey has decided to jump start its adult-use market by issuing licenses to existing medical cannabis operators, referred to as Alternative Treatment Centers (or ATCs). Earlier this month, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) voted to allow seven established ATCs — comprised of well-financed multi-state operators (MSOs) — to begin adult-use cannabis sales at 13 dispensaries around the state.

Sharon Ali opened her pair of dispensaries for adult-use sales just after 10 a.m. on April 21.

New Jersey’s launch didn’t happen in time for marijuana culture’s biggest holiday—state officials cited the potential for “unmanageable logistical challenges” as reason for waiting another day. But the launch would still be a massive success.

While it was known for some time that these white-owned businesses would be allowed to open first, social justice advocates were stung by the lack of businesses owned by Black, Indigenous or people of color, especially given the state’s continued reassurance and laws to ensure racial justice. According to Leafly’s 2021 Seeds of Change report, only 2% of the nation’s legally operated cannabis companies are Black-owned. Meanwhile, Black New Jerseyans are over three times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than their white counterparts.

Customers who stood in long lines for the start of adult-use marijuana sales in New Jersey on April 21 bought about $1.9 million worth of cannabis and related products.

According to Bloomberg, 12,438 customers spent roughly $153 per purchase on the day New Jersey joined 17 other states and the District of Columbia as markets where recreational marijuana is legal.

On launch day, New Jersey regulators reported few initial glitches, although some customers had to stand in lines dozens of people long.