The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) approved more than 300 adult-use cannabis licenses during their first live/hybrid meeting.
It was held at the Civil Service Commission building in downtown Trenton.
“It’s good to see everyone in person,” NJCRC Chair Diana Houenou said.
Many people were in the audience hoping to win licenses. Along with locals, there were also minority businesspeople from elsewhere hoping to see their company name on the big screen. No one was informed before it is publicly announced, making it like a mad raffle.
Licenses Awarded by the NJCRC
Two-hundred and ninety-seven conditional adult-use cannabis licenses were awarded. Several in the crowd cheered at winning.
1 Buds Holding Company LLC Cultivator Micro
2 420 Organics LLC Cultivator Micro
3 Apical Flora LLC Cultivator Micro
4 Boulder Labs LLC Cultivator Micro
5 Clarity Cut Exotics Cultivator Micro
6 Culture Craft Cannabis Collective LLC Cultivator Micro
7 Elev8d LLC Cultivator Micro
8 Galaxy Cultivation LLC Cultivator Micro
9 GDS Grow House LLC Cultivator Micro
10 Genuine Grow LLC Cultivator Micro
11 Glue Lagoon Farms Cultivator Micro
12 Great Feeling Farms LLP Cultivator Micro
13 Green Group Grows NJ Cultivator Micro
14 HiBlend LLC Cultivator Micro
15 Home Grown Provisions LLC Cultivator Micro
16 Itplants LLC Cultivator Micro
17 Jersey Joints Cannabis Inc Cultivator Micro
18 NJ Pro Growers LLC Cultivator Micro
19 Premier Growers LLC Cultivator Micro
20 Proper Releaf LLC Cultivator Micro
21 Pudas Pot Incorporated Cultivator Micro
22 Remedy Oil LLP Cultivator Micro
23 Sycamore Grove LLC Cultivator Micro
24 Third Eye Farms LLC Cultivator Micro
25 Top Shelf NJ Cultivator Micro
More Winners
26 Viridescent Labs LLC Cultivator Micro
27 West Orange Farms Cultivator Micro
28 White Lily Cultivator Micro
29 Nimbus Farms Inc Cultivator Standard
30 ATH-NJ LLC Cultivator Standard
31 Aurora Green LLC Cultivator Standard
32 Bear Built LLC Cultivator Standard
33 Bliss New Jersey, Inc. Cultivator Standard
34 Canna Method NJ LLC Cultivator Standard
35 Canna P Farms Cultivator Standard
36 Colleen Candy Company, LLC Cultivator Standard
37 Enso N.J. LLC Cultivator Standard
38 Essential Cannabis Company LLC Cultivator Standard
39 Fresh Cut Cannabis, Inc. Cultivator Standard
40 Fresh Grow LLC Cultivator Standard
41 FSBT Holdings 1, Inc Cultivator Standard
42 Grass State Nutrition, LLC Cultivator Standard
43 Green Acres Group, Ltd Cultivator Standard
44 Green Violet LLC Cultivator Standard
45 HomeGrower ACNJ, Inc. Cultivator Standard
46 Hope Holistic Healthcare Cultivator Standard
47 Illicit Gardens LLC Cultivator Standard
48 Jessika Mialaa Cultivator Standard
49 LBOZ LLC Cultivator Standard
50 Maria Rosa Canna LLC Cultivator Standard
Range of Cannabis Companies Win
51 MB1 Industries LLC Cultivator Standard
52 Mojo Botanica LLC Cultivator Standard
53 Newton Agriculture LLC Cultivator Standard
54 Nuvez Cultivator Standard
55 Organic Green Buds LLC Cultivator Standard
56 Pizza Bagel Farms LLC Cultivator Standard
57 Royal Beverages, LLC Cultivator Standard
58 Sara’s Buds LLC Cultivator Standard
59 Tree Tribe Grow LLC Cultivator Standard
60 Trileaf Labs LLC Cultivator Standard
61 Unity Alternative Therapy of NJ LLC Cultivator Standard
62 Veda Farms LLC Cultivator Standard
63 Verdure Ventures LLC Cultivator Standard
64 Vernon Farms LLC Cultivator Standard
65 Veronica Harvest LLC Cultivator Standard
66 Canna Caviar LLC Manufacturer Micro
67 Cedar Fairmont Health Cultivators Manufacturer Micro
68 Little Leaf Labs, LLC Manufacturer Micro
69 Premier Growers LLC Manufacturer Micro
70 Pulse Manufacturing LLC Manufacturer Micro
71 Remedy Oil LLP Manufacturer Micro
72 The Baggage Claim LLC Manufacturer Micro
73 ABCO Garden State LLC Manufacturer Standard
74 Alb Labs LLC Manufacturer Standard
75 Apothca Cultivation Incorporated Manufacturer Standard
More NJ Cannabis License Winners
76 Argent NJ Ventures INC Manufacturer Standard
77 ATH-NJ LLC Manufacturer Standard
78 Avalon Extracts LLC Manufacturer Standard
79 Bear Built LLC Manufacturer Standard
80 Bliss New Jersey, Inc. Manufacturer Standard
81 Bommer’s Goods LLC Manufacturer Standard
82 Boss Greens LLC Manufacturer Standard
83 Canna Method NJ LLC Manufacturer Standard
84 Canna P Farms Manufacturer Standard
85 Cannabilities Manufacturer Standard
86 CannPowerment LLC Manufacturer Standard
87 Community Growth Partners New Jersey LLC Manufacturer Standard
88 CVC New Jersey LLC Manufacturer Standard
89 DMW Holdings LLC Manufacturer Standard
90 Enso N.J. LLC Manufacturer Standard
91 Garden Society NJ LLC Manufacturer Standard
92 Grass State Nutrition, LLC Manufacturer Standard
93 Green Violet LLC Manufacturer Standard
94 Grotech Farms LLC Manufacturer Standard
95 Jamm Brands LLC Manufacturer Standard
96 Jersey Extraction Lab LLC Manufacturer Standard
97 Jersey Island Wellness LLC Manufacturer Standard
98 Mojo Botanica LLC Manufacturer Standard
99 Notum New Jersey Inc Manufacturer Standard
100 Nuvez Manufacturer Standard
101 OGeez Brands NJ LLC Manufacturer Standard
Many Manufacturing Licenses Issued
102 Patterson Partners of New Jersey LLC Manufacturer Standard
103 Premium Genetics Partners LLC Manufacturer Standard
104 Royal Dynastic Organics LLC Manufacturer Standard
105 RRB Extraction LLC Manufacturer Standard
106 Sara’s Buds LLC Manufacturer Standard
107 Sorella Minitura LLC Manufacturer Standard
108 Tiva NJ LLC Manufacturer Standard
109 Verdure Ventures LLC Manufacturer Standard
110 Vernon Farms LLC Manufacturer Standard
111 Veronica Harvest LLC Manufacturer Standard
112 Top of the Pot Dispensary LLC” Retailer Micro
113 ART44CO Retailer Micro
114 Ayo Budz Retailer Micro
115 Black Harvest NJ Retailer Micro
116 Blue Lily Bliss Retailer Micro
117 Blue Violets LLC Retailer Micro
118 Bud It Up Retailer Micro
119 Cannabury Park LLC Retailer Micro
120 Canopy Crossroad Retailer Micro
121 Capital Virtues LLC Retailer Micro
122 City Leaf Corporation Retailer Micro
123 Couslings’ Route 420 LLC Retailer Micro
124 Cumberland Greens Dispensary LLC Retailer Micro
125 Eden Dispensaries LLC Retailer Micro
Many NJ Cannabis Licenses Issued
126 Erini Dispensary LLC Retailer Micro
127 Family Rooted LLC Retailer Micro
128 Favorite Creations, LLC Retailer Micro
129 Golden Door Dispensary, LLC Retailer Micro
130 Got Your Six of New Jersey, LLC Retailer Micro
131 Green Consumables LLC Retailer Micro
132 Green Factory Co Retailer Micro
133 Green Land Health LLC Retailer Micro
134 Happy Bodega, LLC Retailer Micro
135 Haus of Bud Retailer Micro
136 Herbn Legend LLC Retailer Micro
137 Inhale Industries Inc Retailer Micro
138 Jersey Garden Greens Retailer Micro
139 Journal Square Dispensary, LLC Retailer Micro
140 Kreme Of The Pot Retailer Micro
141 Kush Connection LLC Retailer Micro
142 Leafy D’Lites Retailer Micro
143 Main Street Dispensary LLC Retailer Micro
144 Mara Consumables LLC Retailer Micro
145 McKenna Crops LLC Retailer Micro
146 Moe Weed LLC Retailer Micro
147 Natural Cannabuzz shop LLC Retailer Micro
148 Natures Motivation Retailer Micro
149 NJ Budhub Retailer Micro
More NJ Cannabis Licenses Approved
150 Green Scene LLC Retailer Micro
151 Organic Fusion LLC Retailer Micro
152 Planet Oz LLC Retailer Micro
153 Plantopia LLC Retailer Micro
154 Rec House LLC Retailer Micro
155 Royal Smoke LLC Retailer Micro
156 RYC Ent LLC Retailer Micro
157 Salt ALT Air Botanicals LLC Retailer Micro
158 Social Dispensary Retailer Micro
159 Sub-Herban Life, LLC Retailer Micro
160 Sussex Pharms LLC Retailer Micro
161 The Bud Philosophy LLC Retailer Micro
162 The BudEase NJ, LLC Retailer Micro
163 The Canna Club LLC Retailer Micro
164 The Gas Factory LLC Retailer Micro
165 The Haze Company, LLC Retailer Micro
166 The Leaf Joint LLC Retailer Micro
167 Uforia LLC Retailer Micro
168 Victorious Gardens Retailer Micro
169 Far & Dotter Jersey City, LLC Retailer Standard
170 Head Space NJ LLC Retailer Standard
171 Nurturing Leaf LLC Retailer Standard
172 Plug Naturals LLC Retailer Standard
173 Sunnytien LLC Retailer Standard
174 365 Recreational Cannabis LLC Retailer Standard
175 4Twenty Somewhere LP Retailer Standard
Even More NJ Cannabis Licenses Approved
176 Altalune Inc Retailer Standard
177 Anja Life LLC Retailer Standard
178 Arbory Wellness, LLC Retailer Standard
179 Asbury Seaweed LLC Retailer Standard
180 Astronaut Planet World LLC Retailer Standard
181 Benedict’s Supply LLC Retailer Standard
182 Best Buds Marlboro LLC Retailer Standard
183 BestBuds, LLC Retailer Standard
184 Bliss Cannabis LLC Retailer Standard
185 Blue Violet Cannabis LLC Retailer Standard
186 Bountiful Buds Delights Retailer Standard
187 Bridgeton Cannabis LLC Retailer Standard
188 Bud 2 Bloom LLC Retailer Standard
189 BUDZ Prime, LLC Retailer Standard
190 Canna Med of NJ LLC Retailer Standard
191 Citrus NJ LLC Retailer Standard
192 City Leaves LLC Retailer Standard
193 Collingswood Cannabis Co Retailer Standard
194 Colossal Herb NJ Inc Retailer Standard
195 Community Greenhouse LLC Retailer Standard
196 Cookies Harrison LLC Retailer Standard
197 Cultivarx NJ LLC Retailer Standard
198 Culture Jersey City Inc Retailer Standard
199 Curiosity Cannabis Retailer Standard
Many Cannabis Retailer Licenses Issued
200 Davis Pursuit Investments LLC Retailer Standard
201 Decades Dispensary LLC Retailer Standard
202 Del Valle Holistic Center LLC Retailer Standard
203 Dogwood Green LLC Retailer Standard
204 Egg Harbor Cannabis LLC Retailer Standard
205 Ele,Vat Atlantic City LTD Retailer Standard
206 Elevated Herb LLC Retailer Standard
207 Emerald Tea Supply Company LLC Retailer Standard
208 Enlighten Health & Wellness, LLC Retailer Standard
209 Envision Group LLC Retailer Standard
210 Euphoria Cannabis Company LLC Retailer Standard
211 Euphorium Dispensary Inc Retailer Standard
212 Exit 420 LLC Retailer Standard
213 Favorite Flower, LLC Retailer Standard
214 Feeling Green LLC Retailer Standard
215 Fireside Cannabis LLC Retailer Standard
216 Floro Absecon LLC Retailer Standard
217 Fresh Dispensary Eatontown LLC Retailer Standard
218 Garden State Natural Green Inc Retailer Standard
219 Garden State of Mind LLC Retailer Standard
220 Golden Flower Dispensary LLC Retailer Standard
221 Green House Apothecary LLC Retailer Standard
222 Greenewoods Holdings New Jersey, LLC Retailer Standard
223 Greensky Dispensary LLC Retailer Standard
224 Greenstone Apothecary LLC Retailer Standard
225 Hamm and Chaz, LLC Retailer Standard
Many, Many Cannabis Companies Win
226 Happy Cloud Inc Retailer Standard
227 Harvest Corner Inc Retailer Standard
228 Haute Box LLC Retailer Standard
229 Healing Vibes LLC Retailer Standard
230 Herbalicity LLC Retailer Standard
231 Highlands Dispensary LLC Retailer Standard
232 Himan NJ LLC Retailer Standard
233 Holistic Apothecary LLC Retailer Standard
234 Honeybuzz Farms LLC Retailer Standard
235 Hound Town 543 Inc Retailer Standard
236 Indispensable Dispensary LP Retailer Standard
237 JBP Partners Group LLC Retailer Standard
238 Jersey Kush LLC Retailer Standard
239 Jersey Remedies LLC Retailer Standard
240 Jersey Roots Dispensary LLC Retailer Standard
241 Kress Green LLC Retailer Standard
242 KushX, LLC Retailer Standard
243 Legacy to Lifted, LLC Retailer Standard
244 Liberty Flower Company Retailer Standard
245 Lifted Vision LLC Retailer Standard
246 Local Modiv, LLC Retailer Standard
247 Main Property Holdings NJ LLC Retailer Standard
248 Mass Grown LLC Retailer Standard
249 Modena Partners LLC Retailer Standard
250 Moodi Day LLC Retailer Standard
More Licenses Approved
251 Neighborhood Greens Corp Retailer Standard
252 Neon Heights LLC Retailer Standard
253 New Frontier Solutions LLC Retailer Standard
254 Nikita Brothers Retailer Standard
255 NJWeedman’s Dispensary LLC Retailer Standard
256 Oak Bluffs Holdings, LLC Retailer Standard
257 One Smoke LLC Retailer Standard
258 Organic Leaf LLC Retailer Standard
259 Health LLC Retailer Standard
260 Pleasant Roots NJ LLC Retailer Standard
261 PPP Dispensary Retailer Standard
262 Puffsie Retailer Standard
263 Raddle LLC Retailer Standard
264 ReLeaf Cannabis LLC Retailer Standard
265 RUUTED LLC Retailer Standard
266 Scarlet Reserve Room RB LLC Retailer Standard
267 Seaweed Express LLC Retailer Standard
268 Sensory Dispensary LP Retailer Standard
269 Serene Greens Co Retailer Standard
270 Shore Apothecary LLC Retailer Standard
271 Smoking Classics Inc. Retailer Standard
272 Soul Lit LLC Retailer Standard
273 Strainland Cannabis LLC Retailer Standard
274 Suite Green Collective LLC Retailer Standard
275 Sweet Leaves LLC Retailer Standard
More Cannabis Companies Win
276 Sweetspot New Jersey LLC Retailer Standard
277 Sweetspot North Jersey LLC Retailer Standard
278 The Cannabis Place 420 Corp Retailer Standard
279 The Cutoff LLC Retailer Standard
280 The Flower Shop Dispensaries LLC Retailer Standard
281 The Next Chapter Market LLC Retailer Standard
282 The Other Side Dispensary LLC Retailer Standard
283 The Peace Market Retailer Standard
284 The Plug NJ LLC Retailer Standard
285 The Weed Stalk LLC Retailer Standard
286 The Wildflower Market LLC Retailer Standard
287 Tiva NJ LLC Retailer Standard
288 Treehaus Holdings NJ, LLC Retailer Standard
289 UC Wellness Retailer Standard
290 Unity Rd of Ramsey LLC Retailer Standard
291 Unity Rd. SNJ LLC Retailer Standard
292 Verdure Apothecary LLC Retailer Standard
293 Voorhees Cannabis Retailer Standard
294 Y&L JC LLC Retailer Standard
295 Your Highness LLC Retailer Standard
296 Zoe Exotics Cannabis Club LLC Retailer Standard
They were approved unanimously, 5-0. The room cheered happily.
A special reward for SVA NJ Serviced LLC approval was given. Vice Chair Sam Delgado was recused. It was approved, 4-0.
One thousand three hundred sixty applications had been submitted, NJCRC Executive Director Jeff Brown noted. Only 63 applications have not had a completeness review, and 1,072 cure letters were issued.
NJCRC Annual License Applications
Brown explained they have their first slate of annual cannabis licenses that did not apply via the conditional process.
He urged people to respond timely to their requests to keep the process moving efficiently.
Eight companies won:
1 Fuse Brands Inc. Cultivator Micro
2 Fuse Brands Inc. Manufacturer Micro
3 Leaf Haus LLC Retailer Micro
4 Blackwood Wellness LLC Retailer Standard
5 Lady M NJ LLC Retailer Standard
6 Nirvana Dispensary LLC Retailer Standard
7 Royal Highness Dispensary Retailer Standard
8 SoulFlora Inc. Retailer Standard
It was approved 4-1. Barker voted no.
Annual Conversions
Ten conditional adult-use cannabis licenses were approved for conversion:
1 Brighterside Canopy, LLC Cultivator Micro
2 Atlantic Cultivators Cultivator Standard
3 August Tenth Capital Investments, L.L.C. Cultivator Standard
4 Hamilton Farms LLC 2010 Cultivator Standard
5 Herb-a-More LLC Cultivator Standard
6 Statewide Property Holdings NJ, LLC Cultivator Standard
7 Sweet Side LLC Cultivator Standard
8 August Tenth Capital Investments, L.L.C. Manufacturer Standard
9 Sweet Side LLC Manufacturer Standard
10 Kind Kush Retailer Standard
“This is the first cohort. This is the tip of the iceberg. These are new annual licenses we are considering for operation, Brown said.
Brown explained they were eager for this. He said they had undergone a thorough process.
“Licensees have an ongoing obligation to report things to the CRC,” Brown noted.
Those approved need to work with the investigation team,” he said, among other things.
“The numbers might be small, but they are mighty,” Delgado said.
“Thank you to the staff … for helping us on this monumental day,” Houenou said.
Shen noted they are the first ten to convert.
It was approved 4-1. Commissioner Charles Barker voted no.
Expansion Certification for Curaleaf
The room grumbled at their mention.
“I want to congratulate all the 18 businesses… the first in New Jersey’s history to be awarded an annual license. This is only the first step in what is a long process. It is my hope that these businesses get up and running as quickly as possible. We need them to lower the price of cannabis,” Houenou said.
She also wanted more companies to pay the social equity fee.
“We are relying on you to be a safe and reliable operator,” Houenou said.
Curaleaf’s Bordentown location was approved for adult-use cannabis sales.
Brown said they have several metrics on which to judge if a company is able to convert and meet their standards.
“We are dead serious about ensuring patient access… about labor provisions. If approved, we will have a vigilant eye on Curaleaf and the other expanded ATCs,” he added.
Standards Issues
“I am not fully convinced Curaleaf has made good faith efforts as it relates to our standards. Any other cannabis business… we will be doing the same,” Commissioner Krista Nash said.
“I have also become concerned about the actions of their particular entity,” Houenou said.
She questioned their commitment to workers, patients, and safety.
“There’s a lot of information that staff reviews. I need some more time to review the material. I do echo your sentiments. Accountability is critical here,” Houenou said.
It passed 3-1-1, with Barker voting no and Houenou abstaining.
Three companies wanted to change their name, GLCPC changed to Re-up, Garden State Dispensary to Ayr Wellness only, and Middle Valley Partners is Valley Wellness.
Assistance for License Applicants
Delgado said they are working with NJ Business Action Center (NJBAC) to provide technical assistance and help to get cannabis licenses, including mentorship.
He explained the NJBAC is proposing a curriculum for the course, including working on a business plan and a legacy to legal course.
Some programs will be targeted to certain license categories of applicants like minority, women, social equity, Impact Zones, and Economically Disadvantaged Areas (EDAs)-based businesses.
Melonie Willoughby and her Deputy Director Penni Wild of the NJBAC have been working with cannabis groups, leaders, and educators to learn what needs to be done, Delgado noted.
“This is important that … license applicants get the support they need. Their success is critical. We believe this assistance is essential to repair the neighborhoods… of those subjected to mass criminalization,” Willoughby said.
She said they have been doing a great deal of outreach.
Willoughby said it would be a 10-week course in the first half of next year, 2023.
“We feel that mentorship aspect is very, very important,” Willoughby said.
She said experienced professionals are going to teach the courses. Willoughby said social justice and business combined were close to her heart.
“I was one of the first 400 women admitted to Rutgers College in 1970,” Willoughby said. “That is my why. To challenge outdated attitudes… and mentor the leaders of tomorrow.
Those who wish to learn can register at njstart.gov she explained.
NJBAC Cannabis Assistance
“We stand ready to act on Governor Murphy’s and the CRC’s commitment to bring economic opportunities to our communities,” Willoughby said.
Willoughby said people could register at Nj.gov/state/bac/cannabis/, which she carefully spelled out.
“Or just call me at 1-800-Jersey-7,” she said to laughter.
“We are the Garden State, and I intended for us to stand up to that rep,” Houenou said. “Thank you very much.”
“What is the cost for prospective applicants?” Barker asked.
“There’s no cost,” Willoughby said.
“I thought I heard that. I wanted to make that clear,” Barker said.
He has been very eager to promote the social justice aspect of cannabis legalization.
“I know how costly it is for those struggling to do it on their own and paying pros to help them. For those new to this, we want to be there for them,” Willoughby said.
“I acknowledge the role the public has played in getting to this point,” Houenou said.
She noted business development assistance had been a crucial issue many have advocated the NJCRC address.
“The Economic Development Authority has been putting together listening sessions to explore opportunities to build an access to Capital program,” Houenou noted.
Extension of Conditional Licenses
“We’re seeing conditional license holders need more time. There’s circumstances out of their control,” Brown said.
He said they would extend it another 45 days. Thus, there could be two 45-day extensions.
“This will give conditional holders more time to convert,” Brown said.
The crowd applauded its unanimous passage.
Houenou noted the final cannabis market rules comment period has ended.
Brown said the conditional clock doesn’t start till you get the license.
Cannabis Market Details
“Thank you to the hundreds of folks who submitted comments,” Houenou said.
They are considering any necessary changes.
Brown noted the number of medical cannabis patients peaked at about 1280,000 in the summer, while about 4,400 people are still joining every month. Sales in the market vary by month.
“There’s always an uptick in April. There’s ebbs and flows,” he added.
Brown said that cultivation license winner Hillview is growing medical along with a company called Garden State among winners from the 2019/201 medical cannabis round,
In addition, Sweet Spot opened a new dispensary in Voorhees, the 29th medical cannabis dispensary in New Jersey, and Justice Grown, MPX, and Breakwater’s second location recently opened.
Pricing
The NJCRC did a pricing investigation. Brown said the price average price in August was $414 an ounce. Prices have been going up, he added. Brown said adult-use flower is about $450 an ounce.
“Simply economics here. Very high demand. Supply we’re ramping up, getting licenses up,” he said.
“Prices are still high in New Jersey,” Brown explained. “Price for medical cannabis is equal or lower. Prices have gone up but less than the rate of inflation.”
In addition, fewer medical cannabis discounts are being given out.
In addition, the Metric inventory system is going live soon.
“We did release testing guidance. We’re going to be making changes to those guidance rules,” Brown said. He noted he is working with lab experts that were in the audience.
Brown commended NJCRC Director of Diversity and Inclusion Wesley McWhite for working on an underground legacy to legal guidance for people who want to transition and a forthcoming Equity Score Card. He noted that NJCRC Chief of Staff Justin Rodriguez and Director of Governmental Affairs Jesus Alcazar have been working on expanding local approval.
“There are challenges on the municipal level,” Brown acknowledged.
He said they are engaging with local officials.
Social Excise Equity Fee
Brown said equity in cannabis licensing is critical, along with raising revenue.
“Now that we have data on pricing… we are recommending the excise fee to be adjusted for the actual price of cannabis,” he said.
Brown explained the fee would increase from $1.10 to $1.52 an ounce.
“This is a recommended adjustment based on the actual retail price,” he said.
