The bill proposes significant amendments to New Jersey's cannabis regulations, focusing on the application and licensing processes for cannabis establishments, including medical and adult-use dispensaries. Key changes include the establishment of nonrefundable application fees, a requirement for the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to make determinations on permit applications within 90 days (with a possible 30-day extension), and the stipulation that at least one-third of permits issued for medical cannabis must be conditional. The bill also emphasizes the importance of microbusinesses by reserving at least 10% of total permits for them and introduces provisions for clinical registrant permits, which require a partnership with an academic medical center for research purposes.

Additionally, the bill allows municipalities to impose local regulations on cannabis operations and mandates that they notify the commission of their decisions on applications. It streamlines the licensing process by removing certain documentation requirements, such as the need for a business plan and liability insurance for conditional licenses, while emphasizing labor peace agreements as a condition for licensing. The bill also establishes a system for tracking cannabis items to prevent illegal diversion and ensures that municipalities cannot prohibit the operation of medical dispensaries in good standing for at least 180 days. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance equity in the cannabis industry, streamline operations, and ensure compliance with local regulations.

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