Many social equity applicants in New Jersey say they still face challenges trying to convert their conditional cannabis license to an annual one. The process has sparked debate over the length of time it takes to begin recreational marijuana sales in the Garden State.
In New York City, New Jersey resident Roland Conner’s business, Smacked, became the first legal recreational marijuana store owned by someone with a prior marijuana conviction to open in the city. The shop is also the second to open in New York City after sales started in December.
But though it may take more time in New Jersey, social equity applicants say they believe the state is putting their best interests first by requiring them to have more than 50% ownership in the business. In New York, applicants must have at least 10% ownership for at least two years in a business that had positive net profits.
