By Sophie Nieto-Munoz, New Jersey Monitor
The New Jersey marijuana market agency made a decision Thursday to increase the number cannabis businesses owned by people who have prior marijuana convictions or live in economically depressed areas of the state.
For one year starting September 27, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission will accept requests for certain licenses–wholesaler, distributor, and delivery service class licenses–only from so-called social equity applicants, the commission decided at its Thursday meeting.
Charles Barker, the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue, took the action after he said that not enough had been done to assist entrepreneurs hurt by the war on drugs since the recreational marijuana market opened in the state in April 2022.
Barker stated that “based on our current framework I do not believe that social equity businesses — those most harmed in the failed war against drugs and that represent the people and communities we want to see participating in the game — are making it through to even be considered for an Award, let alone to open a business.”
During a meeting on Thursday, officials from the agency said that less than 250 of 947 applicants for social equity had been approved as of December.
The agency stressed the differences between the requirements of social equity applicants and businesses owned by diverse groups. This includes women, minorities or disabled veterans who own businesses.
In New Jersey, the marijuana legalization act prioritizes applicants who are socially equitable and have diverse ownership. This also includes applicants whose businesses are located in an impact zone, as well as applicants whose businesses meet certain criteria, such marijuana-related arrests and crime index.
Anyone who does not meet the criteria for social equity will be denied a license until September 27, 2024. This move does not affect those seeking licenses for cultivation, manufacturing or retail.
Four votes in favor of the motion were cast. Maria Del Cid Kosso, the commissioner, abstained from voting, saying that the commission should consider businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans. Barker stated that these businesses are not owned by the people who have been most affected by cannabis prohibition.
Ron Wollner is a landlord from Eatontown who works with a cannabis social equity business. He told commissioners that he has seen the problems some applicants face. He said that the applicants he is working with are “burning money” as they wait for a cultivation permit.
Wollner added: “If we can do something, and you are serious about promoting social equity, then let’s push these things to the finish line.”
The original publication of this story was by New Jersey Monitor.
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