New Jersey’s regulators announced they had awarded four of the first marijuana-consumption lounges to New Jersey as a “milestone” in its cannabis program.
After going through three application rounds—starting with social equity applicants, then diversely owned businesses and finally opening it to all licensees—the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) said on Tuesday that it’s now granted four initial consumption lounge endorsements.
This is an important milestone for the cannabis industry in New Jersey. In a recent press release, NJ-CRC chairwoman Dianna Houenou stated that these designated spaces offer consumers safe and legal alternatives for cannabis consumption.
These areas are ideal for those who wish to consume marijuana legally and responsibly or cannot do so in their own homes. We are proud to be a part of this new phase in safe use infrastructure for our state.
At the NJ-CRC’s Monday meeting, where the NJ-CRC approved its endorsements of those laws, the chairman called this action “a very long time in coming”.
The four approved businesses—High Rollers Dispensary, SunnyTien Dispensary, Gynsyng and URB’N Dispensary—come from the application pool from the diversely owned licensee category.
The commission stated that “the holders of the endorsement for consumption areas are required to adhere to rigorous standards in order to maintain the security, management, and compliance with state laws” to ensure consumption areas remain compliant.
Two weeks earlier, NJ-CRC had invited all marijuana licensed dispensaries to apply for the operation of cannabis consumption lounges.
In January, officials first started accepting applications from social equity marijuana licensees before opening it up to diversely owned businesses and microbusinesses in April.
Fees for endorsement applications are $1,000. This includes $200 to submit the application and $800 upon approval. There are also annual licensing fees in the amount of $1,000 for microbusinesses and $5,000 for standard businesses.
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The rules state that consumption lounges can’t sell alcohol or foods, but adults older than 21 years old may bring in food, or the government will deliver it, if it is allowed. Cannabis patients who need to use medical marijuana could bring in their products.
NJ-CRC Members have stated that they believe the addition of cannabis use areas to the state will generate more revenue through marijuana sales, annual fees and taxes.
Meanwhile, New Jersey officials recently completed the curriculum of a no-cost marijuana training academy that’s meant to support entrepreneurs interested in entering the cannabis industry.
Separately, New Jersey Senate President Nick Scutari (D) recently filed a bill that would re-criminalize purchasing marijuana from unlicensed sources—one of the latest attempts to crack down on the illicit market and steer adults toward licensed retailers.
In March, a former New Jersey Senate leader unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination this year said “it is time” to give medical marijuana patients an option to grow their own cannabis plants for personal use. If elected, he also promised to extend clemency to people affected by the criminalization of marijuana. He expressed his support for cannabis lounges.
Steve Sweeney’s comments on the home-grow issue, as the former longest serving Senate President in state history, differ from those of the current Governor. Phil Murphy (D), who has stated on numerous occasions that there is still a long way to go before the home-grow market in New Jersey can be legalized, disagrees with what current Gov.
Seemingly contradicting that claim, dozens of New Jersey small marijuana businesses and advocacy groups recently called on the legislature to allow adults to cultivate their own cannabis.
Martin Alonso is the photographer.
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