The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) fined the large Multi-State Operator (MSO) Verano more than $20,000 and allowed the MSO Curaleaf to keep its licenses for now during a busy meeting.
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MSO Verano Fined for Selling Underweight Products
NJ-CRC Chief Counsel Dave Tuason explained that the large MSO Verano failed to ensure its products were accurately labeled and its equipment wasn’t inspected.
“This effectively led to a couple of underweight pre-rolls that were sold to consumers,” he said.
Commissioner Harris Laufer made a motion to fine them $20,500 for their three violations.
“A $10,000 fine for the uh machine issues and the lack of weighing the product, which I believe hurts consumers because they were… doing it in their favor, not consumers’ favor,” Laufer noted. “And for the $500 fine, they should have a supervisor on staff.”
“They were not adhering to their corrective action plan, which is why uh the fine is where it is,” he added.
“…It took a very long time for this licensee to respond to the direct questions that our staff asked,” NJCRC Chair Dianna Houenou noted. “If you’re asked a pointed question. Give a pointed answer.”
Curaleaf Gets More License Extensions
Acting Executive Director Christopher Riggs said that the large Multi-State Operator Curaleaf had five licenses up for renewal, with 2 cultivation licenses, 2 retail licenses, and 1 manufacturing license.
“They no longer have an LPA (Labor Peace Agreement) and based upon the advice of Counsel, I am recommending that we administratively extend these licenses until that litigation is over and we can make a decision,” CR said.
Laufer made a motion to extend them for another 60 days.
The CRC had already extended the NJ Curaleaf cannabis licenses for 60 days in February.
“Yes, because it’s only at the advice of Counsel,” Nash said before voting in the unanimous vote.
Curaleaf is very good at strongarming Trenton. They pulled something similar in 2023 to keep their licenses.
Former NJ Attorney General Matt Platkin loved attacking President Donald Trump and the South Jersey political bosses. However, he never took action like the Republican Ohio Attorney General David Yost to sue MSOs for antitrust/cartel allegations.
It remains to be seen what the NJ Attorney General Jennifer Davenport will do under the new Governor Mikie Sherrill.
OGeeze Brands NJ In Trouble for Offering Non-Infused Gummies
Tuason explained they issued a notice of violation to OGeeze Brands for making non-infused gummies and supplying them to dispensaries.
Infused samples are also very difficult to give out for free to entice new customers, according to NJ-CRC gifting and sampling rules.
So, he said they got 2 violations.
“This business was already told by our compliance staff that they were not permitted to dispense it, and they did it anyway,” Commissioner Krista Nash noted.
She wanted to fine them $10,000.
“This is becoming increasingly problematic. We are seeing licensees disregard the explicit instructions of the Commission,” Houenou said.
The fine was approved 5-0.
Waiver for Flowerbomb Dispensary Hurt by Fire
Flowerbomb dispensary in Irvington wanted its annual license renewal fees waived after suffering from a fire.
“Given the extenuating circumstances this particular licensee… We administratively extend their existing license till September 30th…,” Houenou said.
It was approved 5-0.
