Instead of awarding several widely-anticipated licenses for recreational marijuana sales, New Jersey regulators kicked the cannabis license issue down the road again today. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission voted to table a motion that could have expanded adult-use licenses to eight major alternative treatment centers — or ATCs — that already offer medical marijuana. Regulators expressed concerns about producing enough recreational products and also jobs to people victimized by the war on drugs, and mostly about preserving patient safety for medicinal users. The delay frustrated industry reps, who urged the commission to help ATCs meet these new, specific requirements.
The commission did approve the first group of 68 conditional licenses for start-ups in cultivation and manufacturing, with priority given to minority, women-owned and economically disadvantaged applicants. However, even if they manage to build those businesses, the new venues wouldn’t be ready to sell cannabis products for months.
