The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) saw the last meeting of Chair Dianna Houenou and the first of the new Commissioner Jackie Ferraro while a new cannabis consumption lounge was approved.

While Heady NJ had heard rumors of her departure for some time, it’s unclear who will take her seat and who will be the next Chair.

Houenou Gives Final Chair Report

“April 12^th marks the Commission’s 5^th anniversary. But it is bittersweet for me. Because, as this 5^th year comes to a close, so too does my time with the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Today will be my last public board meeting…,” Houenou explained.*

She said they’ve been building a new agency while overseeing the new legal NJ cannabis market.

“Neither comes with a map,” Houenou noted.

“Five years ago, the Commission existed only on paper. Then, one day, it became a government body with only 6 people on the payroll. Today, it oversees a functioning, diverse, and expanding industry that provides medical access, economic opportunity, and consumer protections to New Jersey residents,” she noted.

“But the work is not finished. Building a fair and responsible cannabis industry is an ongoing process that requires collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement,” Houenou added. “I’m honored to have played a role…”

“Regulations save lives. But they work only if they’re enforced consistently and fairly…. Consistency is crucial for building trust not just with the public but with the businesses we regulate,” she argued.

Praise for Departing NJ-CRC Chair

“You didn’t just help build a market. You led that charge that built that framework anchored in justice,” Commissioner Krista Nash said.

“It is no secret that building this agency came with immense pressure, intense scrutiny, and incredibly complex hurdles,” she added. “You led with unwavering integrity and absolutely grace under pressure.”

“Because of your vision, New Jersey stands as a national model for what an equitable cannabis framework can look like,” Nash argued.

“There was really no road map because there’s no state that does it better than New Jersey. So, you really did a good thing,” Acting Executive Director Christopher Riggs argued. “I think your work laid a strong foundation for fairness and transparency, and it’s really had a meaningful impact on New Jersey.”

“There was no shortage of fiery debates. But it was all in an effort to make sure that we are making informed decisions, and we are well-rounded in our perspectives. And I do believe the agency is better for it. And thus, the industry has been better for it,” DH said. “I know I’ve been tough.”

New Commissioner Jackie Ferraro Welcomed

Houenou noted Jackie Ferraro has become an official NJ-CRC Commissioner.

Ferraro thanked Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19-Middlesex) for the appointment.

“New Jersey has done a great job rolling out this program,” Ferraro declared.

“I’ve been in the industry for many years… born and raised in New Jersey,” she explained.

Ferraro said she was a cannabis legalization advocate in 2018 alongside Houenou.

“We need to create a more responsible, sustainable industry,” she argued.

Ferraro called it Phase II of the NJ cannabis legalization rollout.

Blazin Buddiez Cannabis Lounge in Millville Approved

Riggs noted Blazin Buddiez dispensary of Millville wanted a cannabis consumption area. He added they received municipal approved from the town in Cumberland County.

It was approved unanimously 5-0.

Blazin Buddiez could open the 5^th NJ cannabis lounge after High Rollers and Sunnytien in Atlantic City, and Gynsyng in Merchantville opened the same week last July 2025. Urb’n in Newark recently opened its lounge in February 2026.

NJ Cannabis Ownership Changes

Riggs said four companies want to change ownership:

• Bay Street Greenery
• Leaf Haus
• One Green Leaf
• The Station, Hoboken

The NJ-CRC approved it 5-0.

New Commissioner Recused

CannaVerde was considered separately while Nash was recused. It was approved 4-0 with no discussion.

Ferraro was then recused from considering companies “due to an ongoing professional relationship”:

• Valley Wellness
• Wildflower Market
• Ayr Wellness NJ

“First meeting and she’s got recusals,” Commissioner Harris Laufer joked.

“As we all have,” Houenou said.

“I know. Mine too for the record,” Laufer noted.

They were approved 4-0.

Annual NJ Cannabis License Renewals

Riggs noted they had many annual license renewals. He scolded potheads for not being better at paperwork:

• Columbia Care (1)
• Columbia Care (2)
• Columbia Care (The Cannabist) (2)
• GSCC Management LLC (1)
• Silver Leaf Wellness LLC (1)
• Premo Cannabis Company (1)
• Blulight Cannabis Gloucester City LLC (1)
• Midnight Greens LLC (Shigh LLC) (1)
• Hamm and Chaz LLC (1)
• UMA Flowers NJ LLC (1)
• INSA Coastline Dispensary (1)
• Canna Bar LLC (1)
• Jersey Leaf LLC (1)
• Green Haven Industries (1)
• Honeystash LLC (1)
• Ganja Manja (1)
• Acreage CCF (4)
• Verano NJ (4)
• GTI New Jersey LLC (Green Thumb Industries) (4)
• TerrAscend (4)
• Jersey Smooth LLC (BFF MJ) (1)
• MPX New Jersey LLC (3)
• Sweetspot Dispensary (1)
• Central Jersey Dispensary (1)
• Sea & Leaf (1)
• Hudsonica Inc (The Jersey Joint Inc.) (1)
• The Goods Supply Co. Victory Gardens (1)
• Authorized Dealers LLC (1)
• Doobiez LLC (1)
• The Healing Side (1)
• Earth & Iv (1)
• Andover Cannabis LLC (1)
• Kush Express LLC (1)
• CREAM Retail Dispensary (1)
• Nova Farms Woodbury (1)
• Shnicks Shnacks (2]
• The Happy Farmer (1)
• Blue Harvest (1)
• Lady L Cannabis (1)
• Earth & Ivy Lakehurst LLC (1)
• Herbalicity LLC (1)
• Sky Cannabis LLC (1)

The NJ-CRC approved them 5-0.

Recused Annual NJ Cannabis License Renewals

Ferraro was then recused from several license renewals:

• Ascend NJ (3)
• Bud City NJ LLC (1)
• Sussex Cultivation (1)
• Holistic Solutions LLC (1)
• Valley Wellness LLC (Middle Valley Partners LLC) (1)

Conversion to Annual NJ Cannabis License Winners

1. 84110 LLC Cultivator Standard
2. Blue Violet Grow, LLC Cultivator Standard
3. Blue Violet Grow, LLC Manufacturer Standard
4. Allstar Development Enterprises Retailer Microbusiness
5. Nirvana Dispensaries LLC Retailer Microbusiness
6. Garden River Retailer Standard
7. Illicit Gardens Dispensary Carlstadt LLC Retailer Standard
8. JSNN Tulsi LLC Retailer Standard
9. Machu Picchu Cannabis Retailer Standard
10. Night Owl, LLC Retailer Standard
11. Alta Leaf LLC Wholesaler Standard

Annual NJ Cannabis License Winners

1. Twin Bridges Holding Cultivator Standard
2. Canna Creations, LLC Manufacturer Standard
3. Twin Bridges Holding Manufacturer Standard
4. Authorized Dealer Dispensary II Retailer Standard
5. Jersey Remedies LLC Retailer Standard
6. Taba Dispensary LLC Retailer Standard
7. Unity Road Cannabis Shop Maywood LLC Retailer Standard

Micro to Standard Conversion Winners

1. Canopy Crossroads dispensary
2. Dank Poet dispensary