Cannabis business license portal for adult use opens in NJ

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The day has come for New Jersey’s adult use cannabis business hopefuls to start applying for licensure, and the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission reported that the process is off to a strong start.

By midday on Dec. 15, nearly 500 individuals and entities had established accounts on the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s application platform. The CRC opened for applications for adult use cannabis business cultivators, manufacturers and testing labs at 9 a.m. on that day. By 1 p.m. the application platform was averaging 155 new users per hour, the CRC reported.

“We are happy to reach this milestone,” said CRC Executive Director Jeff Brown. “Applications are coming in, the platform is performing well, and we can officially mark the launch of the state’s recreational cannabis industry. Getting cultivators, manufacturers, and testing labs licensed and operating will set the framework and establish supply for retailers who will start licensing in March 2022.”

Under the CRC’s rules, Social Equity Businesses, diversely-owned businesses, microbusinesses, and conditional license applicants will be prioritized in the review and scoring. Individuals with past cannabis convictions are included under the social equity applicant title, alongside those from designated Economically Disadvantaged Areas, minorities, women, and disabled veterans.

“New Jersey should be extremely proud of the application portals opening today for cultivation, manufacturing, and laboratory testing. Looking beyond the challenges over the years to put expanded medical and adult-use cannabis markets in place legislatively and by regulation, we surpassed the tri-state commercial region in matters of regulating social justice and industry,” said New Jersey CannaBusiness Association President Edmund DeVeaux in a statement.

“The NJCBA continues to stand ready to be a resource for current license holders, prospective licensees, and municipalities hosting cannabis businesses, both for the application round starting today and all future application rounds,” he said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]