Alongside the evolution of the industry — out of the dark and into well-lit — has been an explosive growth in technology, ubiquitous across industries and in daily life.

The landscape of New Jersey changed on April 21 with the first legal adult-use sales of cannabis, which is now available for purchase by anyone 21 and over. To navigate these new waters, employers need to know what rules they can legally impose on their employees with regard to cannabis usage.

Despite demand, the New Jersey CRC said no supply shortages were reported after the launch of adult-use cannabis sales in the state. Meanwhile, two of the group's commissioners spent the afternoon taking part in a roundtable discussion hosted by The Cannabis Research Institute at William Paterson University, detailing how we got here.

“We expect 13 locations for the entire state will make for extremely busy stores,” said CRC Executive Director Jeff Brown.

The funds from the Department of Community Affairs serve to assist municipalities with improving the economy, appearance and image of their central business districts through the organization of local citizens and resources.

The magazine's list of the most influential people in cannabis in 2021 includes an attorney who led the social impact committee for NJ CAN 2020, the coalition that pushed for adult use legalization in the state and helped shape policy on the statutory, regulatory and municipal levels; "the O.G. of cannabis security;" and an activist who may be the only person listed with a cannabis strain named after him.

Last year, the university launched its Institute for Cannabis Research, Policy & Workforce Development, whose works aims to help fully understand the impact of New Jersey’s legislation surrounding the plant, as well as the potential medicinal uses of cannabinoid compounds.

At the state level, it's affordable. But at the municipal level — where approval is required by the state — businesses face thousands of dollars in fees just to submit.

Two-thirds of Garden State residents voted to approve an adult use ballot initiative in November 2020, and about a year-and-a-half later, the state will make good on their wishes.

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission approved seven alternative treatment centers to begin selling to adults 21 and over as soon as next month, opening up the market after years of legislative and regulatory hurdles.

Agrify signed a definitive agreement with Loud Wellness, led by former NFL player and industry entrepreneur Turk McBride and former MLB pitcher and industry veteran Pedro “Pete” Demorejon.

The chain expects to give away more than 2 million cups of joe at its more than 960 stores nationwide with its annual Wawa Day tradition, which honors 58 years in retail.