The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) denied the annual license renewal application of Mad Hatter Dispensary LLC.
Table of Contents
Mad Hatter Dispensary of Woodbridge Examined
The dispensary, which is in Avenel in Woodbridge in Middlesex County, was considered separately from other non-controversial license renewals.
Acting Executive Director Christopher Riggs noted that NJ cannabis licenses have to be renewed annually, hence the name.
“…It was determined that they did not provide the appropriate attestation… for license renewal…,” he explained.
“They were issued a cure. Also, in that cure, they did not provide a social equity report. And they do not and no longer have municipal approval in the locality where they operate. Therefore, it is staff’s recommendation that Mad Hatter Dispensary does not meet the regulatory criteria for renewal. And the application should be denied at this time,” Riggs said
Denying Mad Hatter Dispensary Legal Re-Approval
“Is there a motion on this matter?” NJCRC Chair Dianna Houenou asked.
“I move to approve the motion for denial of Mad Hatter Dispensary’s license renewal,” Commissioner Krista Nash said.
The NJ-CRC voted 4-0 to deny their license renewal.
It was previously a sex shop that opened as a dispensary last year in 2025.
Mad Hatter previously was among the dispensaries selling quality infused gummies. They also had endorsed homegrow legalization.
Heady NJ heard they had labor issues.
It is the first license they have not renewed.
The large Multi-State Operator (MSO) Curaleaf had its license denied in 2023 and reinstated after the weekend. It has since dealt with several threats since they do not seem to respect their workers.
In stark contrast, the NJ-CRC wants to help people have good jobs, which periodically requires labor unions.
New CRC Commissioner Takes Office
Houenou began the meeting by introducing the new Commissioner, Harris Laufer, who is also the Mayor of Springfield in Union County.
(Not that Springfield.)
A bill had to be passed in the Legislature to address some of the ethics of an elected official serving as a CRC Commissioner.
“Welcome to the Board of Commissioners with the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Commissioner Laufer brings his experience with both state and local government to the board. So, we’re excited to have him,” Houenou said.
Laufer began his remarks by thanking his former boss, NJ Senate President Nick Scutari (D-22-Union).
Championing a Vision of Legal NJ Cannabis
While Judiciary Committee Chair, Scutari championed the adult-use cannabis legalization CREAMMA legislation when Laufer worked for him.
Unfortunately, Scutari has been opposed to homegrow legalization while championing the market and supporting equity measures.
“I look forward to making the cannabis industry in New Jersey better with the help of everybody on this board,” Laufer said.
He noted his experience with government could help improve the process.
“I look forward to working with every single one of them to again make this industry work better and work for the people of New Jersey,” Laufer explained.
“Pleasure to have you and look forward to seeing all the great work you can do with us to achieve our vision,” Houenou said.
Unfortunately, with the departure of Sam Delgado and Maria Del Cid Kosso, there have been no Hispanic CRC Commissioners for months. They were down to three before, so now Laufer is the 4th. There are five seats on the NJ-CRC board.
Annual NJ Cannabis License Renewals
Several annual NJ cannabis licenses were up for renewal overall.
Houenou was recused from the renewal application of La Vida Gardens LLC, which was then considered separately “due to an ongoing personal relationship.”
The other Commissioners approved it 3-0.
Houenou then explained that 2 annual license applications were previously incomplete:
- Legal Distribution LLC
- Nile of NJ LLC
“I am recommending to the board we administratively extend the licenses for these 2 businesses for 30 days, at which time the Commission can make a final decision…,” she said.
The NJ-CRC approved them 4-0.
Several companies got their licenses renewed without any controversy:
- Dogwood Green
- Bay Street Greenery
- Botera Union
- Golden Door Dispensary
- Plantabis Dispensary
- Jersey Meds Management
- Victory National Farms
- Kine Buds Maywood
- Atlantic Flower
- Doobiez
- GDBS Distribution
- Bakin Bad
- Castaway Cannabis
- Zacate
- Natural Apothecary
- Parks Grove
“Good work by staff,” Laufer said.
Conversion to Annual NJ Cannabis License Winners
Riggs explained that 7 companies won annual cannabis licenses after securing a conditional license initially and going through a complicated process.
- Green Therapeutics-Cultivator
- Shaman’s Cure LLC-Manufacturer
- Cannabis City-Retailer
- Herbarium Dispensary LLC-Retailer
- Broad Street Buds LLC-Retailer
- Leaf for Life-Retailer
- The Greenhouse-Dispensary-Retailer
The NJ-CRC approved them 4-0 without discussion.
Annual NJ Cannabis License Winners
Rggis explained that 11 companies won an annual license without seeking a conditional license first:
- AC Leef-Cultivator
- Emerald Farms LLC-Cultivator
- Shaman’s Cure LLC-Cultivator
- World Star Labs-Cultivator
- The Fireplace New Jersey-Manufacturer
- Midland Bud House-Retailer
- Stockbox LLC-Retailer
- East Coasting LLC-Retailer
- High End Cannabis Corporation-Retailer
- Vencanna NJ LLC-Retailer
- Anthea Lab-Testing Laboratory
“I’m supportive of this motion …Chief Counsel, with respect to application 9534 (East Coasting) specifically just to ensure the commercial reasonableness requirements are uh spelled out in the final agency decision and our legal team confirmed all transactional documents comply…,” Houenou said.
The NJ-CRC then approved them 4-0.
