The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) announced they are investigating fishy THCA inflation and mold numbers and updated the public on the market at their August meeting.
Investigation of THCA Inflation and Mold Numbers Ongoing
Acting Executive Director Christopher Riggs said they noticed that THCA in NJ cannabis flower is 12.4 percent more potent over the last 3 years.
THCA is a cannabinoid similar to THC that it gets you high.
“There is an ongoing investigation to determine whether these levels are being inflated,” he declared.
Riggs said the mold testing numbers are also fishy and showed the graph depicted above.
“In 2023 we had a fail rate of .7 percent,” he explained.
“In 2025 it’s only 1 percent,” Riggs said. “You see a cliff.”
“Mold doesn’t really know what a 100,000 CFUs, Colony Forming Units, looks like,” he added. “We really need to look at that. Something is going on.”
“It should look the same on the left as it does on the right and it doesn’t,” Riggs explained.
During the public comment period, cannabis advocate Andrea Raible, who has been leading the call to investigate testing, praised them for their investigation.
She added she wanted to see bad labs fined in the future.
A range of cannabis advocates have argued this has been a serious problem in the legal Jersey cannabis market for years. A scientist recently confirmed it’s a national problem across the legal cannabis market.
NJ Cannabis Market Update
Riggs noted there are more than 250 dispensaries open across the state opening on a weekly basis. So the New Jersey adult-use cannabis market is continuing to thrive.
However, he added the number of patients is down to 58,124.
Riggs also discussed market statistics.
He noted that in general the sales numbers are going up.
“The price of cannabis is actually going down,” Riggs explained.
It’s at $8.58 per gram. He said it went down 28 percent in the last 12 months. Medicinal cannabis is cheaper at $8.22 and it’s down 22 percent.
Riggs also explained individual product sales numbers.
“Edibles numbers are starting to catch up,” CR said. “That will continue to keep up and surpass the pre-rolls sometime here in the near future.”
“The market continues to be healthy and grow,” CR declared.
Worker Badges Simplified
Commissioner Krista Nash noted that there was previously a worker shortage. So temp badges were issued.
She said those with complicated charges can still apply for a provisional badge. So they voted to streamline the process 3-0.
Illicit Garden NJ Allowed to Grow More
Riggs explained that canopy increase for Illicit Gardens NJ, who wants to modify their tier to go from Tier 1 to Tier 2 for a 24,000 square ft facility and 7 flower rooms of 19,000 plus feet.
It was approved 3-0.
They are from Missouri but don’t operate in other states.
Ownership Changes
Riggs said 7 companies wanted CRC approval to changes to their ownership.
- INSA Coastline Dispensary ILC
- Change in ownership structure
- Mountain View Farmacy LLC
- Change in ownership structure
- Vidu Brothers Cannabis
- Change in ownership structure
- Higher Leaf LIC
- Change in ownership structure
- Green Village Services LLC
- Change in ownership structure
- Cookies Harrison LLC
- Change in ownership structure
- Weedies
- Change in ownership structure
The CRC approved it 3-0.
Chair’s Report
CRC Chair Dianna Houenou noted that many companies want to open.
“There continue to be misunderstandings… of the agency’s process for reviewing applications,” she said. “Our staff go through a multi-step process,”
Complete addresses, answered questions, attached documents, and the investigation of individuals’ background checks are completed. That all has to be done before it’s reviewed
Then there is a cure process if there is a problem. Sometimes several cures are required.
“The board then spends 3-4 weeks on an application,” Houenou noted.
“We have a new online waiver form,” she explained.
Houenou explained that people and cannabis businesses can also request to waive requests on different issues. But it’s not to be used for convenience. The waiver power is to be used sparingly
“We are aware of several business owners offering their license for sale,” she added.
Houenou noted that conditional licenses were for sale online for $250,000. But she explained they are not that valuable since you need an annual cannabis license to operate in the market.
“You are not required to finish your construction or renovation before submitting an application,” she added.
