The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) met for the first time. It was 21 months after the Jake Honig Act establishing the CRC was signed into law.
They elected a Vice-Chair, took over the Division of Medical Marijuana from the NJ Department of Health, and established Offices of the Commission that will carry act their work. It also heard Executive Director Jeff Brown’s report on the state of NJ cannabis.
“I’m thrilled we’ve finally arrived at this historic day,” CRC Chair Diana Houenou said. “Our journey here is no small matter.”
Houenou is eager to launch the CRC. She noted that it took a while and included officials, stakeholders, advocates, and community organizations, “and it ultimately included 2.7 million voters who changed our constitution.”
Houenou noted countless people sharing their lived experiences about the negative effects of prohibition.
“It is because of you we have reached this incredible moment in New Jersey history,” she added.
Busy 1st Day
Commissioner Sam Delgado was made Vice Chair unanimously.
“As Vice Chair, I will strive to ensure this commission operates with the same professionalism, diligence, and commitment we expect from our industry operators,” Delgado said.
The Division of Medical Marijuana in the Department of Health was then transferred to the CRC.
“This decision makes yet another milestone in New Jersey’s journey,” Houenou said.
She noted that patients and advocates fought hard to expand the medical marijuana program.
“We will not fail you,” Houenou said to them.
However, “standing up an entirely new state agency is no smaller task. We will center our work around protecting patient access to medicine,” she added. “It will take time to develop several weeks to write regulations and hire.”
Cannabis Regulatory Commissioners’ Remarks
“I’m very humbled to be part of this journey,” Delgado said. He noted that on July 20, 1975, he was arrested for possession when hitchhiking to a summer camp job with friends in Orange County, New York. The police took him to a judge in Goshen, where he was held for four days in a jail cell until his co-workers bailed him out.
“When I think what led to accept this position… this incident from 46 years ago was very much in my mind,” Delgado said.
He noted he retired from his position as a Verizon executive. Delgado said the NJ cannabis industry would be very inclusive and favor entrepreneurs.
“I come here today ready to work for the interests of the people of New Jersey,” he declared. “This will not be an easy road to travel.”
“My door is always open,” Delgado added.
Social Justice Background
“Social work is not only my vocation; it is my passion,” said Commissioner Krista Nash. “I believe that one of the core values of social work is social justice.”
Nash noted she has worked as a Program Director dealing with prison re-entry of individuals in Camden, NJ, helping people with disorders get jobs. Many of them were directly impacted by the War on Drugs and faced barriers to re-entry into society. She added that patients need an adequate supply without disruption.
Equity
“People were set up to fail” to the disproportionately unfair justice system,” Commissioner Charles Barker said.
“I think about the chance to rebuild targeted communities and the opportunity to generate wealth in these areas through access to the biggest industry of the future,” he added.
Barker said New Jersey could be a “model state for prioritizing restorative justice, safety, and equity.
He was appointed after outrage by the NJ NAACP, and others threatened a lawsuit because no social justice organization was represented. Previously, he was Senator Cory Booker’s cannabis policy advisor as Booker has sought to take the lead in the US Senate on the issue.
“As a young Latina who comes from humble beginnings. I want to thank Governor Murphy for giving me this opportunity,” Commissioner Maria Del Cid said.
She noted that as the former Director of Policy and Legislation at the NJDOH, she worked closely with Brown on the medical marijuana program.
“Our work here is not done,” Del Cid said. “I look forward to continuing to advocate for patients.”
She noted that New Jersey could be a leading state in the cannabis industry.
In Spanish, she summarized her remarks in English, saying that it was important to her that marginalized communities, veterans, women, and minorities are represented in the process, among other issues.
Overview Report
In his report, Brown praised the division of MMJ. That included the 30 staffers in field compliance, investigation, customer service, and IT.
“You have made the success of this program possible,” Jeff Brown said.
He said there are nearly 107,000 patients in the program, 4,000 caregivers, and 1250 doctors.
While noting there are 15 dispensary locations open, a 16th location will open soon. There are 20,000 lbs. of cannabis inventory in the dispensaries. He acknowledged that more dispensaries are needed.
Brown said the medical cannabis program needs lower prices, to open more locations, and to have “better value for patients.”
Building a Market
Regarding opening the adult-use cannabis market, “We would really need to see action across the board,” Brown said. He explained that the dispensaries have not been adequately preparing for this.
Brown noted that growing bans in small and suburban towns. A municipal ban does not necessarily ban cannabis in town, just the industry. He encouraged towns to “work with us, wait to see the regulations we do. Certainly, we want to hear from all of you.”
“It’s going to be important that these businesses have a place to go,” Brown said.
He explained the 2019 Alternative Treatment Center (ATC) license round. Unfortunately, the announcement has been delayed for 16 months due to a lawsuit. So it will be announced “sooner rather than later.”
There will be a better and more open permit process.
Brown acknowledged the race between New Jersey and New York to legalize adult-use cannabis.
“We in the Garden State will be living up to our name as the Garden State,” Houenou said. Many have noted the slogan when discussing homegrow.
CRC Offices to Establish NJ Cannabis
The resolution appropriating the Division of Medical Marijuana noted that it relied on the NJDOH for IT, customer service, HR, and fiscal administration.
The former Office of Minority, Disabled Veterans, and Women Cannabis Business Development will now be the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. It will be the most important office to ensure the NJ cannabis industry is just.
In addition, there will be licensing, investigations, and compliance staff in the CRC to ensure product safety, including no moldy flower.
