Regulators of New Jersey's planned cannabis industry announced last month that there will be further delays to the launch of adult-use cannabis sales.
Governor Murphy announced that retail cannabis sales could begin within March. As quoted by NJ.com, Governor Phil Murphy said on radio “If I had to predict, we are within weeks... I would hope in March you would see implicit movement on the medical dispensaries, some of them being able to sell recreational.” This announcement came shortly after missing the self-imposed Feb. 22nd deadline. In addition to this, Governor Murphy said that for dispensaries to be granted licenses, they must "prove they’ve got the supply for their medical customers. I hope shortly thereafter, the standalone recreational marijuana operators.” However, it seems that New Jersey just isn't ready to give the green light on adult-use cannabis sales based on the continued delays in launch.
Last month New Jersey regulators brought further delays to the start of retail sales by declining to award retail cannabis licenses to numerous medical dispensaries seeking to sell adult-use cannabis. This shocking development came less than a month after Governor Murphy gave hope of sales starting in March, and deals a blow to businesses and investors eagerly waiting on the support of regulations. Last month New Jersey's Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) stated that the alternative treatment centers (ATC) that were declined licenses, need to submit detailed plans on how they will ensure there is enough cannabis for medical marijuana patients once recreational sales begin.
"Alternative Treatment Centers Need To Ensure
They Have Enough Supply"
According to CRC Executive Director Jeff Brown, Alternative Treatment Centers don’t have adequate supply, estimating that the market could be short up to 100,000 pounds of cannabis to meet the needs of both recreational customers and medical patients. In a statement addressing the recent delays, Director Brown said "our goal is to work with the industry and the industry to work with us so at the very next CRC meeting we have a cohort of ATCs that are turn-key to launch this market here, simply pending a vote by this commission... If for any that are still not there, hopefully (they’ll be) ready for conditional approval pending certain timelines and regulatory milestones that we can work to get done."
Based on information provided by Director Brown, before the eight Alternative Treatment Centers (ATC) in question are allowed to expand cannabis supply, the CRC will conduct site visits to make sure the ATC's can handle both recreational customers and medical patients. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) has announced that in order for ATC's to be able to effectively supply both recreational customers and medical patients they should have separate lines and entrances for customers. The CRC also notes that they want a commitment that dispensaries will hire people with past marijuana related convictions, or people who come from disadvantaged areas, to bring equality for those marginalized by previous enforcement of regulations.
On March 24th the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association said in a statement that it “remains optimistic that the CRC will sooner rather than later open the adult-use cannabis market in New Jersey, though we admit to being disappointed with today’s decision to further continue its delay.”
Since announcing further delays, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) did not indicate to how long these delay would last, but posted a notice of a special meeting scheduled for April 11th.
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