cannabis consumption lounges Archives

Wu-Tang rapper’s cannabis franchise sets sights on downtown Newark (updated)

An Oregon-based cannabis franchise backed by one of the members of Grammy-winning hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan is expanding to New Jersey.

Hashstoria, which was co-founded by rapper Raekwon The Chef, expects to launch this spring at 799-805 Broad St. in Newark’s Four Corners Historic District — making it the city’s first dispensary that will allow on-site consumption.

Founded six years ago, the brand collective has grown to three locations in Oregon: Astoria, Gladstone and Springfield.

The venture’s application for a cannabis lounge, as well as proposed architectural design for the circa-1900s building – which includes a fresh brick face and new windows to display community artwork – was presented by Rachael Grochowski, principal at RHG Architecture+Design and approved Feb. 2 by the city’s landmark and historic preservation commission. Grochowski, who partnered with Hashstoria for the design, will appear before the commission once more to have the applicant’s signage reviewed before starting renovations.

In a recent social media post, Raekwon, whose real name is Corey Woods, thanked the City of Newark, as well as the Hashstoria team, for their support, adding, “We’re very grateful. Community goals! Lets uplift us!”

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) recently approved a proposed framework that would allow medical dispensaries and recreational-use retailers to operate consumption lounges.

Unveiled at the regulatory board’s December 2022 meeting, the draft rules establish qualifications, an application process and operation instructions for businesses that want to set up spaces on site for customers to consume cannabis.

Before the regulations can be finalized, they are subject to a 60-day public comment period, which ends March 18. After that, the CRC said it will review and respond to comments.

If the CRC issues a final approval, New Jersey will join eight other states that have regulations providing for an on-site use option at dispensaries: Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New York and New Mexico.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 5:42 p.m. ET Feb. 13 to include information about the firm that presented the building design to the city. At 12:02 p.m. ET Feb. 14, the story was updated to include a more recent rendering.

CRC seeks public feedback on draft rules for cannabis consumption lounges

After approving a proposed framework that would allow medical dispensaries and recreational-use retailers to operate consumption lounges, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) is seeking public input.

Unveiled at the five-member regulatory board’s December 2022 meeting, the draft rules establish qualifications, an application process and operation instructions for businesses that wish to set up spaces on premises for customers to consume cannabis.

Cannabis dispensary — The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s draft rules establish qualifications, an application process and operation instructions for businesses that wish to set up spaces on premises for customers to consume cannabis. – DEPOSIT PHOTOS

The proposed rules include:

Licensed dispensaries wanting to establish cannabis consumption areas must be approved by the CRC and the municipality in which the dispensary is located
A cannabis business can operate only one cannabis consumption area, regardless of the number of Class 5 Retailer licenses the business holds
Dispensaries may not sell food, but patrons may bring their own food into the cannabis consumption area or have food delivered there
Medicinal cannabis patients must be allowed to bring cannabis items from other retailers into consumption areas for their own use
There may be no sale of tobacco products and alcohol in consumption areas
Cannabis consumption areas may be indoors or outdoors
Patrons must be 21 years or older and photo identification must be required for entry into cannabis consumption areas
Licensing fee for microbusiness retailers wanting to add consumption areas will be $1,000; for standard retailers it will be $5,000
Cannabis consumption area endorsements are valid for year and may be renewed annually

Before the regulations can be finalized, they are subject to a 60-day public comment period, which ends March 18. After that, the CRC said it will review and respond to comments.

According to the CRC, written remarks can be submitted here and should identify the commenter’s name and affiliation. Alternatively, comments can be sent by mail, postmarked by March 18, to: Dave Tuason, Deputy Counsel, New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, 225 E. State St., 2nd Floor, Trenton, NJ 08608.

CRC approves draft rules for cannabis consumption lounges

New Jersey is one step closer to providing customers at dispensaries with the option to consume cannabis onsite.

During the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s (CRC) Dec. 2 meeting, the five-member regulatory board unanimously approved a proposed framework that would allow medical dispensaries and recreational use retailers to operate consumption lounges.

Under the draft rules unveiled by the CRC, a business that wishes to set up such an area must be endorsed by both the state as well as its municipality before opening.

Operators would not be permitted to sell food onsite; however, customers could bring their own or have it delivered. Additionally, alcohol and tobacco could not be sold or consumed.

According to the regulations, the lounges can be indoors or outdoors, in an enclosed space, and there must be a 21-plus age requirement with photo identification for entrance.

The CRC also noted that businesses must ensure safe consumption and will be barred from overselling to customers.

Application fees would be $1,000 for all businesses; microbusinesses would be charged a $1,000 licensing fee while standard licensing for other operators would cost $5,000, according to the CRC.

Prior to voting on the proposed rules, CRC Commissioner Maria Del Cid-Kosso said, “I’m very excited that we’re pushing this forward because it is a safe space for consumers and patients. It’s definitely another stride for the commission, so I’m really excited that we were able to put this together on a timely manner.”

Before the regulations are finalized, they will be posted in the New Jersey Register and will then be subject to a 60-day public comment period.

CRC Executive Director Jeff Brown said, “I truly believe that this rule proposal – like everything else we’ve tried to do – adequately balances both equity and safety.” He also said he believes it will “open up new opportunities for businesses and consumers.”

Expanding the pool

During the same meeting, the board also signed off on 113 conditional licenses as well as 14 annual, adult-use cannabis business licenses — six of which were conversion applications to annual licenses along with eight annual license applications.

Additionally, regulators approved a request by Secaucus-based alternative treatment center (ATC) Harmony Foundation to expand operations into the recreational cannabis market.

Following the meeting, New Jersey CannaBusiness Association (NJCBA) President Edmund DeVeaux issued a statement saying, “Today marks another progressive step in our efforts to make New Jersey’s medical and adult-use cannabis market the best in the country.”

After congratulating the more than 100 conditional and annual license awardees, DeVeaux applauded CRC “for its deliberate approach to developing New Jersey’s newest industry.”

“We recognize there is still much to do, however, we are getting there one step at a time,” he said. “The combined efforts of the public and private sectors to ensure diversity, responsibility and eventually profitability for New Jersey-based businesses is within our reach.”

To date, the CRC has issued nearly 1,700 conditional cannabis licenses, including more than 900 to potential dispensaries. After receiving a conditional license, applicants have 120 days to find a location and get municipal approval before converting to a standard, annual license.

Select Region or Brand

Upcoming Event

Tag: cannabis consumption lounges

CONNECT

DIGITAL EDITIONS