The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) allowed a two-month extension of the license of the large Multi-State Operator (MSO) Curaleaf NJ LLC despite labor violations. Others were reviewed with less controversy.
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It seems they have disliked their workers for a while since the NJCRC revoked and reinstated their license in 2023 over labor issues.
MSO Curaleaf NJ LLC Licenses Reviewed
Acting Executive Director Christopher Riggs wanted to continue the Administrative Extension of the license of the large MSO Curaleaf NJ LLC. He noted it has 2 cultivation facilities, 1 manufacturing operation, and 3 medical dispensaries.
Chief Counsel Dave Tuason said the current extension is until March 31st “due to “ongoing litigation.”
Commissioner Amelia Mapp recommended extending it 2 months till May.
Riggs said they have adult-use dispensary in Bordentown.
“Only because it’s at the recommendation of Counsel, my vote is a yes,” Commissioner Krista Nash said.
It was approved 4-0.
They later extended their adult-use dispensary in Bordentown Township 4-0 to May 31st as well.
“Only at the advice of Counsel is my vote a reluctant yes,” Nash said before voting.
Curaleaf NJ LLC has been fighting their labor standards. However, the UFCW labor union has been fighting back. Most recently, they pushed legislation signed into law by former Governor Phil Murphy before he left office.
Ownership Changes OKed
NJCRC Chair Dianna Houenou listed many companies that wanted to change owners.
- Atlantic Flower LLC
- Discofries LLC
- Elevated Herb LLC
- Garden State Natural Green Inc.
- Goldfinch Retail
- Hamilton Farms LLC
- Hashery LLC
- High Profile Lakehurst
- High Profile Somerdale
- Hudsonica Inc
The changes were approved 4-0.
La Vida Garden LLC wanted to change ownership too.
Houenou was recused “due to an ongoing professional relationship.”
So, it was approved as well 3-0.
Mapp was then recused from the approval of the ownership change of Leaf Relief NJ LLC, which was approved 3-0.
Satellite Request
Riggs said Brute’s Roots dispensary wants to create a medical cannabis satellite in Paulsboro in South Jersey.
Riggs said it’s allowed so they approved it.
Conversion License Winners
He noted a few were up for conditional conversion to annual licenses needed to open after all their paperwork was processed and approved:
- Dragon Pit – Cultivator (Microbusiness)
- Ax Formulations LLC – Manufacturer (Standard)
- Kush Connection LLC – Retail (Microbusiness)
- Pine Beach Operations – Retail (Standard)
- The Grass Cab LLC – Retail (Standard)
They approved them 4-0.
Annual NJ Cannabis License Winners
Riggs said 6 companies won new annual licenses and avoided the conditional path.
- Reilly Farms LLC – Cultivator (Standard)
- Verdant 15 – Cultivator (Standard)
- Roman Brothers Cannabis – Manufacturer (Microbusiness)
- Cannahouse – Manufacturer (Standard)
- Wiseco NJ – Manufacturer (Standard)
- Floro Highland Park – Retailer (Standard)
They were approved 4-0.
Illicit Gardens in Secaucus OKed for Adult-use Sales
Illicit Gardens NJ of 300 Wood Avenue in Secaucus wanted to sell adult-use cannabis as well as medical cannabis.
Harmony was formerly open in Secaucus.
They approved it 4-0.
NJ Cannabis License Renewals
Riggs said companies should submit paperwork 90 days in advance of expiration. The following were up for renewals:
- Green Village Services LLC (1)
- J&J Cannabis LLC (1)
- West Orange Wellness LLC (1)
- Sanctuary Cannabis LLC (1)
- Blue Violets LLC (1)
- OHM Theory LLC (1)
- High Rollers Dispensary (1)
- Urge New Jersey (1)
- Roots Dispensary LLC (1)
- Garden Society NJ LLC (1)
- Nirvana Dispensary (1)
- BLKBRN (1)
- Docanna LLC (1)
- Xena NJ LLC (1)
- Bango New Jersey Inc. (1)
- Legal Distribution LLC (1)
- Canna Caviar LLC (1)
- Green Lightning Cultivation LLC (1)
- CannaBoy TreeHouse LLC (1)
- Fresh Grow LLC (1)
- FullTilt Labs LLC (2)
- North Lake Supply LLC (1)
- Timber 5 LLC (1)
- G2 Dispensary LLC (1)
- Illicit Gardens NJ LLC (2)
- Flower & Flame LLC (1)
- The Dispensary of Somerset (1)
- The Dispensary of Union (1)
- Botera Harrison LLC (1)
- Emunio Logistics LLC (2)
- Happy Leaf LLC (1)
- BLOC (3)
- Township Green LLC (1)
- Garden State Natural Green Inc (1)
- The Cannabis Philosophy LLC (1)
- Nile of NJ LLC (1)
- Jerzey Grown LLC (1)
- Sunnytien LLC (1)
- GreenStop Wellness LLC (1)
They were approved 4-0.
Special NJ Cannabis Renewals
Story Dispensary of Springfield was up for renewal separately from the rest of them.
Commissioner Harris Laufer was recused “due to an ongoing professional relationship.”
He is the Mayor of Springfield in Union County.
It was approved 3-0 with Laufer recused.
They played a lot of games in Hoboken, a lawsuit thinks are corrupt.
QCC Group, Quen City Remedies, and Four 20 dispensary were approved 3-0, with Mapp recused “due to an ongoing professional relationship.”
They’re all based in Plainfield where Mapp is the First Lady.
Harvest Works Farm Corp also needed an extension.
Riggs said they had technical issues when trying to get paperwork in digitally at the last minute.
Laufer said it should be extended to two months.
“Reply to your compliance officer please,” he added.
Houenou said their team is generous when it comes to submitting the required mandated paperwork.
NJ Legal Cannabis Event/Lounge Red Tape
Houenou wanted to clamp down on events by licensed cannabis businesses, ensuring they don’t include cannabis consumption without NJ-CRC approval, no selling or giving away food or drinks, and no raffles or bingo. They also mandated age checks.
It is allowed for customers to order food from a different business.
Houenou noted the intoxicating hemp law phased-in ban was passed and signed into law. So, on April 13th, several provisions go into effect.
