 There is frustration in New jersey as the adult use cannabis market opening continues to be delayed.
New Jersey residents voted to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis in November of 2020, but sixteen months later, the residents are still waiting for this to be implemented. The New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association issued a statement that summed up many people’s thoughts when they said, “When it comes down to it, it’s New Jersey’s citizens who are missing out. The adult-use market will be a huge boon to New Jersey’s economy. Additionally, this new industry is slated to create 19,000 new jobs, and taxes from a legal marketplace will support goals to promote social equity by providing economic assistance to impact zones that were disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs." The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission Executive Director Jeff Brown indicated what the delay was about when he said, “There simply wasn't enough proof that there was enough capacity of cannabis for both medical patients and potential recreational customers, including those driving over state lines from New York, Pennsylvania or Delaware.” Brown estimated that there was a deficit of about100,000-pounds between what the current medical dispensaries have on available and what the demand will be once they open up to adult use sales. Edmund DeVeaux, president of the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association feels the Cannabis Regulatory Commission is doing the right thing by not rushing into this process and taking deliberate steps. He believes that taking some time now will help to ensure that social equity and minority and women candidates are prioritized properly, as the law had intended when it was drafted. DeVeaux said, "Doing things correctly [is] more important than doing things quickly. New Jersey is on its way, and we look forward to the next round of progress." Governor Phil Murphy said, “equity is a huge part of our proposition here, and I know that may take longer than folks otherwise would like.” Shaleen Title, founder of the Parabola Center and a former Massachusetts cannabis regulator, referenced how other states who went through this process before New Jersey sometimes made big mistakes by rushing. She told Marijuana Moment, “There’s a well-worn path by regulators who gave in to pressure and ignored their own goals to speed up sales by a short period, only to be chastised by the public later for failing to do their job.” Ms. Title also referenced the concern over supply issues and said, “The [New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission] is choosing a different path by protecting patient supply and equity.” And, “Governor Murphy is right that it’s better to ensure that the state’s requirements are met rather than taking shortcuts that would only cause problems later, as seen in so many other states.” While the delays may be frustrating, doing things in the best possible way should pay off for everyone in the long run. Comments are closed.
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