The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) issued $210,000 in fines to Curaleaf, Brute’s Roots, Panda Farms, Prolific Growhouse, Hashery, Bango NJ and Silver Leaf Wellness.
Curaleaf Fined $12,500 For Cannabis Expiration Date Issues
NJ-CRC Compliance and Investigations Office Director David Tuason explained that Curaleaf failed to test its product samples properly.
“As a result of that, they did not have the correct expiration dates on their packaging,” he said.
Tuason noted they broke 3 rules.
NJ-CRC Chair Harris Laufer said they failed to report stability testing findings for over 100,000 units over six months for a $5,000 fine. They also determined it without proper data for a $2,500 fine. Plus, their label had an incorrect expiration date, which comes with a $5,00 fine for a total of $12,500 fine for Curaleaf.
They passed it 5-0.
Brute’s Roots Fined $125,000 for Improperly Labeled High THC Products
Tuason said BR sold products with more than 100 mg of THC. They also improperly labeled products and allowed someone access to the system. He said 14 rules and laws were broken.
“This one I believe, was pretty egregious,” Laufer noted. “I think this is exactly what we do not want to see in the marketplace.”
He said they broke laws and rules by:
- Misleading a label on 2 different products for a $10,000 fine.
- Packaging missing a poison control warning label for a $10,000 fine.
- Having packaging missing information for a $5,000 fine.
- Missing lot, batch and bar codes for a $5,000 fine.
- Missing over 21 label for a $25,000 fine.
- Failure to submit labeling for recording keeping for a $5,000 fine.
- False or misleading statement on 2 products for a $10,000 fine.
- No qualifying manufacturing supervisor for a $5,000 fine.
- Missing certain ingredients on the label for a $5,000 fine
- Unregistered handler with no cannabis identification as an unregistered employee for a $10,000 fine.
- Failed to deactivate employee card, which enabled the incident for a $5,00 fine.
- Exceeding 100 mg of THC per packaging limit is a law broken so it’s a $25000 fine.
- Manufactured products exceeding 100 mg of THC, the same as the other issue so no fine.
- And no ingredient record which caused a gap for a $5,000 fine.
Laufer noted they totaled $125,000 in fines.
The NJ-CRC passed it 5-0.
Panda Farms/GSCC Fined $12,500 for Expired Cannabis Packaging
Tuason explained that GSCC Management LLC, Doing Business As (DBA) Panda Farms, was cited for cannabis expiration packaging issues.
Laufer said they broke 3 separate consumer safety-related violations by
- Improperly calculating expiration dates
- Mislabeling expired cannabis
- Missing addresses on packaging
The first two violations come with $5,000 fines, and the third was a $2,500 fine for a total of $12,500.
The motion passed 4-0-1 with Commissioner Krista Nash recused.
Prolific Growhouse Fined $15,000 for Possibly Advertising to Minors
Tuason explained Prolific Growhouse had issues with advertising without verifying that a 21-plus audience would see it. They had a Cyber Truck with an ad on it and broke 3 rules.
Laufer wanted to fine them $7,500 for possibly advertising to minors. The 2nd one was like the second problem and didn’t come with a fine.
However, the Cyber Truck ad broke another rule, which came with another $7,500 fine for $15,000.
It passed 5-0.
Hashery Fined $25,000 for Selling Drinks
Tuason said Hashery was not supposed to sell drinks at their dispensary which broke the law.
“We valued this at $25,000,” Laufer explained.
The NJ-CRC passed it 5-0.
Bango NJ Fined $15,000 for Not Tracking Cannabis Plants
Tuason said Bango NJ broke 5 rules by not properly tracking its cannabis plants.
Laufer said that they:
- Failed to use plant tags for a $3,000 fine.
- Failed to utilize Metric for a $3,000 fine.
- Had No inventory controls for a $3,000 fine.
- Failed to update inventory daily for a $3,000fine
- Failed to do *monthly audits for a $3,000 fine
That came to $15,000 in fines.
“I appreciate the reading of each of the violations,” Vice Chair Jackie Ferraro said. “It allows the public to get a sense of the severity and continuity we’re looking to achieve
The NJ-CRC passed it 5-0.
Silver Leaf Wellness Fined $5,000 for Ownership Changes
Tuason said Silver Leaf Wellness changed their ownership without NJ-CRC approval.
Laufer explained that after this violation was issued, they did follow the proper procedure. However, it was retroactive.
“You don’t get to do this at a discount,” he said.
“We go to extensive efforts to make sure these applications meet certain benchmarks,” Laufer explained.
He noted that includes probity and licensure reviews. So it deserved a $5,000 fine.
“Everyone gets a final agency decision,” Nash said.
The NJ-CRC approved it 5-0.
