New jersey
The Garden State
On November 3, 2020, over 67% of New Jersey voters selected ‘YES’ on Public Question 1, an amendment to the state constitution that legalizes the recreational use of marijuana, also known as cannabis, for persons age 21 and older and legalizes the cultivation, processing, and sale of retail cannabis.
Legislation
As the first state in the Mid-Atlantic to legalize marijuana, New Jersey Senate Democratic leaders Nicholas Scutari and Steve Sweeney introduced Bill S21, also known as the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (CREAMMA). To view the full legislation, please click the button below.
Licenses
The CRC has announced six types of license applications for consideration. They are:
Class 1 Cultivation
Class 2 Manufacturing
Class 3 Wholesaler
Class 4 Distributor
Class 5 Retailer
Class 6 Delivery
For more information on license applications, please click the button below.
Timeline
December 2020: the New Jersey Legislature officially passed the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (CREAMM)
February 22, 2021: Governor Phil Murphy had officially signed the legislation after two additional months of negotiations, revisions, and editing. Effective immediately from this date, illicit cannabis use has been decriminalized, and low-level criminal sentences are eligible for expungement.
August 19, 2021: As propelled by Section 6(d) of the CREAMM, The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) officially published the standards, rules, and regulations of the adult-use application process: N.J.A.C. 17:30. This document establishes a breakdown of the application process including details about who gets priority, fees, costs, and descriptions for each license type.
August 22, 2021: New Jersey towns and municipalities wishing to opt out of housing cannabis businesses within their own perimeters will have until this date to enact an ordinance and create their own framework. All prohibitive ordinances that were established prior to Feb. 22, 2021, are invalid until the adoption for new prohibitive ordinances is formally completed by the August deadline.
December 15, 2021: The first application round launched, creating a way for cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, and testing laboratories to set up shop within the state.
March 15, 2022: The application round for Class 5 - Dispensary licenses opens as the market continues to unfold.
April 21, 2022: The first legal sales of adult-use cannabis commence with the first 13 stores approved for adult-use sales opening their doors to all consumers.
November 15, 2022: As of this date, over 1460 applicants have been considered for approval by CRC — over 800 of which are Class 5 Retail Dispensaries. According to the CRC, 71% of these applicants were diversely-owned businesses, 25% were social equity, and 42% reside in an Impact Zone.
December 2, 2022: The CRC, adopted more rules for Consumption Lounges in the State. Rules include that consumption areas must be fully enclosed regardless of indoor/outdoor space use, food and beverages cannot be sold (but may be delivered to the Lounge or brought in by consumers), and there is to be no alcohol or tobacco consumption on the Lounge premises.
June 2023: The CRC expanded the existing Notice of Application Acceptance to include new requirements for Wholesale, Distribution, and Delivery. After time and lengthy debates amongst the Commission to evaluate this rollout process, the amendment was adjusted to allow Diversely-Owned applicants to take priority after an initial 90-day submission period exclusive to Social Equity applicants.
September 27, 2023: The licensing window for Class 3 - Wholesale, Class 4 - Distribution, and Class 6 - Delivery opens up first for Social Equity applicants for a period of 90 days.
October 16, 2023: The proposed rules for edible products (I.E., product forms like chocolates, baked goods, butters, and beverages) will be made available for public comment. Class 2 - Manufacturers are already able to start developing edible-based products through a regulatory waiver on the CRC website.
December 27, 2023: The licensing window for Class 3, 4, and 6 expands to include submissions from Diversely-Owned business applicants.
March 27, 2024: The licensing window for Class 3, 4, and 6 opens up for all general applicants interested in applying for licensure.
As more market updates come in, we will update this Timeline. For more information on New Jersey’s Cannabis Industry, please click the button below.