The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) will have a new Commissioner with Harris Laufer, as a bill allowed his approval as an elected official & dispensary changes became law.
The CRC changes were inserted into a bill allowing 2019-2021 medical dispensary license winners to have 3 dispensary locations under their initial license. After a quick passage, it was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy (D).
The legislature is now in recess for a while.
The NJ Senate Judiciary Committee confirmed Laufer to replace Maria Del-Cid Kosso. He is the former Policy Director of NJ Senate President Nick Scutari (D-22-Union).
Hearing Held to Confirm New CRC Commissioner
At the confirmation hearing, Scutari explained he worked with Laufer on the cannabis legalization bill.
“A lot of the language he worked on, some of which we’re fixing now. A lot of which, if you remember, is very complex. And we have the beginning of a really outstanding cannabis business climate in New Jersey,” he explained.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do down there to get past some of the hurdles that I’ve complained, or heard complaints about many members,” Scutari added.
“I think the Board has really improved over time. It’s uh, a very complex thing to start a new business from scratch, and they were tasked with doing that. So, I give them much appreciation for all the hard work they did,” he noted.
“As a local official, I’ve understood the complexity of integrating a new industry like cannabis into our communities,” Laufer explained to the Committee.
“In Springfield, it took over 3 years to open a dispensary. That is a truly unacceptable timeline and highlights the need for improved processes and greater coordination between State and local stakeholders,” he argued.
“I truly believe social equity must remain at the heart of our work. We’ve crafted a legislative framework with equity in mind,” Laufer declared. “Now we must deliver on the promise for applicants, especially those from historically underserved communities, open the doors…”
“I’m committed to streamlining the application process, cutting through bureaucratic hurdles,” he explained.
Legislative Feedback
State Senator Joe Lagano (D-38-Bergen) complained about CRC delays costing businesses money at the hearing.
Heady NJ has heard similar sad stories.
“We have to get rid of your competition! The illegal sellers,” State Senator Jon Bramnick (R-21-Union) declared. “We’re going to need to have a meeting with the AG (Attorney General) …”
Heady NJ has covered both licensed and underground legacy operators that do not like gas stations and convenience stores selling questionable intoxicating hemp.
“It’s become much more brazen … They feel an inherent right to now go out and sell it on the street because they’re saying it’s legal,” Committee Chair Brian Stack (D-33-Hudson) lamented.
“I can’t tell you how many constituent cases I have where I’m just trying to get clarity,” State Senator Vin Gopal (D-11-Monmouth) said. “The CRC is having trouble getting information from the AG’s office…”
New CRC Commissioner Background
Laufer is the Deputy Mayor of Springfield in Union County after joining the Town Committee or Council in 2023, while he is the Chief of Staff to State Senator Raj Mukherji (M D-32-Hudson).
The Town Committee approved the Multi-State Operator (MSO) Story dispensary opening in Springfield before Laufer joined them, along with another one. Laufer voted to approve a cannabis delivery company operating there as part of a unanimous vote last year.
Legislative CRC Changes for Elected Officials Serving
The final bill signed into law said that CRC Commissioners must be approved by the State Ethics Commission and the Local Finance Board of the Department of Community Affairs to serve.
“Such office or employment will not interfere with the member’s responsibilities to the commission, and will not create a conflict of interest, or reasonable risk of the public perception of a conflict of interest, on the part of the CRC member,” the bill said.
It also changes NJCRC Commissioner opportunities.
“As amended, the bill revises the post-employment restrictions for employees with respect to partnerships, firms, and corporations being prohibited from representing or appearing for a cannabis business from two years to one year,” it said.
No Cannabiz for 2 former CRC Commissioners
Del-Cid Kosso and Vice Chair Sam Delgado announced their retirements at the last CRC meeting.
The new law would seem to allow for CRC Commissioners to make money quicker in cannabis. Del Cid-Kosso took a new position in the NJ Health Department shortly after the announcement.
Delgado explained to Heady NJ personally he has retired comfortably.
“Investing in cannabis today… is a very risky proposition,” he noted. “We regulate it like a bank, an insurance company, and a utility company, which is ridiculous.”
Now that he is retired, he plans to volunteer to help turn a former industrial property in Perth Amboy into a park with a monument to the 65th Infantry Regiment of U.S. Army soldiers from Puerto Rico.
CRC Replacements
While there is a CRC meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 15th, there has been no announcement about who will replace Delgado.
Delgado told Heady NJ he is not sure who will replace him. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19-Middlesex) backed him for the position.
The first Commissioner replaced was Charles Barker.
He has not spoken publicly or on social media since his departure.
Delgado explained to Heady NJ that he is close with Barker despite their different policy opinions and said he is doing well.
It’s clear some leaders did not like former Barker. There was talk of his replacement for a while. It was likely due to his outspoken support for social equity and many “no” votes.
He was replaced by the pro-cannabis Plainfield Mayor Adrien Mapp’s wife, Amelia Mapp. Scutari spoke highly of her at the confirmation hearing.
Noted cannabis advocate and consultant Leo Bridgewater was eager to have Black men represented on the NJ-CRC. He believed they suffered the most from the War on Drugs.
Both Delgado and Del Cid-Kosso represented progress on Hispanic representation at a time when that is a difficult issue.
It is difficult to figure out who would be ideal to be on the NJ-CRC.
The nature of Jersey is a Conflict of Interest.
