The NJCRC released a 4/20 Spotify playlist and discussed cannabis event rules with Heady NJ ahead of the holiday weekend.
They’re encouraging people to submit clean versions of their favorite cannabis-themed tracks or songs that feel right for the occasion.
“We put together a 4/20 playlist for the high holiday. We’ve been doing that the last few years at the CRC,” NJCRC Acting Executive Director Chris Riggs explained.
So far, their Spotify playlist includes stars like Bob Marley, Rihanna, Redman, and Joe Budden. Some have Jersey ties. Redman is from North Jersey. The rapper and media personality Joe Budden went to Lincoln High School in Jersey City.
“We understand cannabis culture is evolving, and one thing has remained constant, and that’s the music, right? That’s always been a key part of the cannabis experience,” Riggs said. “It’s also a way for us to stay connected to the public. It really reflects a broader commitment to engaging our public, uh, and meeting them where they are, which is listening to music.”
“We want the playlist to be inclusive, positive, and suitable for a variety of settings,” he explained. “The cannabis culture is obviously something that everybody here at the commission, including myself, believes in.”
“Anything Bob Marley would probably be my number one,” Riggs said about his favorite song on the list.
NJCRC Rules for Licensed Cannabis Company Events
He explained some rules about licensed cannabis companies and holding events. It has become an issue that has nearly cost small, women-owned, and social equity-owned dispensaries thousands of dollars. It was raised at their last meeting.
Riggs thought businesses should self-report possible issues to them.
“Most of these events, especially for the high holidays, 4/20, they take significant planning,” he said. “During that planning stage, you should coordinate with the field monitor, make sure you’re telling the field monitor exactly what you’re going to do so they can, like, know whether or not they see regulatory issues or any issues that might threaten the event that you plan on hosting.”
“They have the ability to contact their compliance officers, who are also considered their field monitor. That field monitor on a daily basis is tasked with making sure that all the businesses that they’re assigned are following the regulations and operating above board and in compliance with the law and regulations,” Riggs stated.
NJCRC Says Licensed Companies Can’t Gift Samples
“They can’t give away free cannabis,” he declared.
“Every transaction of cannabis must involve a purchase. Even if it’s a nominal purchase, there still must be a purchase with the tracking site METRC in our system through a purchase, uh, so no giveaways,” Riggs explained.
METRC is having a scandal in California. It’s a company that scares normie politicians into buying their complicated system, which adds layers of pricy red tape. It’s supposed to track every gram of legal cannabis so it doesn’t get “diverted” to the underground legacy market. But they might have helped do exactly that, according to a lawsuit.
This company has contracts in 20 states to be a privatized arm of state governments.
“Part of the (the adult-use cannabis legislation CREAMMA) law requires these businesses that are regulated by the Commission uh to not offer anything free for commercial purposes,” Riggs said.
“They can sell things for as little as a penny,” he offered.
Exchanging pennies might be a fun loophole.
Riggs clarified that they are allowed to give away promotional materials like trays, ashtrays, hats, shirts, etc.
No Weed Leaf on Free Swag of Licensed Companies
“They cannot be bearing the cannabis symbol…,” he added.
In stark contrast, the NJCRC often uses a lot of weed symbols and pictures on their labels, and their testing lab rules cover, which Instagram would hate.
“That is part of the (adult-use cannabis legalization implementation) law (CREAMMA),” Riggs noted.
He said kids might like weed leaf symbols too much.
Only the legislature can change the law, while the NJCRC can change its regulations more easily.
(They have made it clear they have no power to legalize homegrow, a common call of activists.)
“We’re always looking at our regulations. The commission has the ability to change its regulations…,” Riggs noted. “We’re always continuing to assess the regulations to ensure that they actually are equitable, to ensure safety is at the forefront of every regulation.”
“If you’re going to have an event where there’s consumption, consult with your field monitor to ensure that they are in compliance with the CRC’s regulations. Obviously, our regulations only go so far,” he explained.
Riggs said they should consult with towns, too, who may or may not be cool with a dispensary throwing a party outside.
“Private events would be dictated by the owner of the property and the locality…whether consumption would be allowed,” he explained.
“There’s no consumption inside or outside the dispensary. There’s no consumption in parks. (And) There’s no consumption on beaches,” Riggs said.
A lot of things happen when cops aren’t around.
He also wanted people to consume responsibly.
