The bill proposes significant amendments to New Jersey's cannabis regulations, focusing on the application and licensing processes for cannabis sales. Key changes include the introduction of nonrefundable application fees, a requirement for the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to make permit determinations within specified timeframes, and a mandate to notify applicants if additional review time is needed. The bill also stipulates that at least one-third of medical cannabis permits issued must be conditional permits, with specific residency and income documentation required from applicants. Additionally, it reserves at least 10% of total permits for microbusinesses and emphasizes the importance of local support and zoning approvals for cannabis establishments.

Further amendments include allowing municipalities to regulate cannabis operations through new ordinances, ensuring that existing prohibitions are rendered void unless formally enacted. The bill also streamlines the application process by removing certain requirements, such as the need for a business plan, while maintaining compliance with various qualifications. It introduces new criteria for evaluating applications, including community impact and workforce development plans, and prioritizes applications from individuals with significant industry involvement. Overall, the bill aims to create a more efficient licensing process while promoting diversity and inclusion within the cannabis industry, particularly for socially and economically disadvantaged communities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 24:6I-7.1, 24:6I-7.3, 24:6I-36, 24:6I-45, 24:6I-35, 24:6I-46, 24:6I-22