The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) rescinded or unapproved new safety testing lab rules, which consumer advocates had wanted for some time.

NJCRC Chair Dianna Houenou brought it up as a resolution adopted earlier this year to waive regulations on testing guidance. It was not on the agenda.

“After further consideration and review from the board and the staff… there is a need for us to rescind this resolution to make sure the product safety packaging and labeling committee has the time and uh the space to conduct further review to provide uh, additional context and feedback for the waiver,” she explained.

There was no discussion on the matter before it was approved 5-0.

They were approved at their February meeting.

It was unclear what changes needed to be made to address fears of mold and bacteria or ease burdensome restrictions on struggling companies.

The problem has become prominent with recent confirmed reports of mold and bacteria in legal NJ cannabis products. There are many more unconfirmed rumors about problems with a lot of the products made mostly by corporate Multi-State Operators (MSOs) that could be the tip of an iceberg.

During the public comment period, NJ Cannabis Trade Association (NJCTA) Executive Director Todd Johnson was happy the testing guidance was rescinded.

“I’m really happy you’re going to take the time to work with stakeholders to make it a policy that works for all…,” he said.

Johnson said they have received conflicting reports from NCJRC field monitors about interpreting the rules.

“Our labs have told us directly they are struggling to navigate unclear directives,” Johnson said.

“It imposes substantial burdens on the industry,” he said.

Johnson thought it was better for business to say a product should be expired in 12 months versus 6.

“The six-month expiration date saddles businesses with further limitations,” he argued.

“Product must be significantly discounted a short time after it reaches dispensary shelves,” Johnson said.

“Retail prices have dropped nearly 20 percent over the past year, delighting consumers and this Commission,” he noted.

Johnson claimed the new rules would increase prices.

“Safety is paramount, but many of the changes have no impact on safety,” he argued.

Unrelated, Johnson said that provisional badges are good to help those with complicated criminal records work for licensed dispensaries, but they are eliminating them.

NJCRC Acting Executive Director Christopher Riggs explained that the winners of conversions to annual licenses needed to open from conditional licenses, followed their licensing process, including verifying information and prioritization, and many reviews.

1 RPI Partners Cultivator Standard

2 MCNJ Group LLC Retailer Standard

The NJCRC approved them 5-0. Mapp had great difficulty with the technology before it was completed.

Riggs noted they followed a similar process to win as the conversion winners.

1. Green Violet Cultivator Standard
2. Green Violet Manufacturer Standard
3. Quantum Productions Cultivator Standard
4. Bespoke Cannabis LLC Manufacturer Standard
5. Organic Green Buds Manufacturer Standard
6. Sensory Dispensary Retailer Standard
7. VT420 LLC Retailer Standard
8. Woolwich Wellness Company Retailer Standard

The NCJRC approved them 5-0.

Riggs explained that annual licenses are needed to legally open cannabis companies and are reviewed yearly.

Hence the name.

“We do have a recusal here,” he noted.

Riggs added that there were two companies where the new Commissioner Amelia Mapp needed to be recused.

• QCC Group LLC and
• Island Vibez

QCC was initially officially called Clade 9 of New Jersey and is based in Plainfield. Clade 9 had a grand opening in Plainfield attended by Mayor Adrian Mapp, Amelia’s husband. Clade 9 is from California.

Island Vibez is a dispensary in Plainfield.

Both say they’re Black owned.

The NJCRC’s remaining Commissioners voted 4-0 with Mapp out of the room.

That was her third 3 recusal in about 4 months.

Several other companies were up for renewal with no noted controversy.

“They have been deemed compliant and ready for renewal,” Riggs said.

Two cultivators were up for their first annual renewal.

1. Hillview and

2. Brute’s Roots were up for their first year of renewal.

The rest were ready to be in adult-use cannabis sales for a second year.

1. Uforia LLC (1)
2. Nova Farms Woodbury (1)
3. Leaf Haus LLC (1)
4. Puffin Store NJ LLC (1)
5. New Era Dispensary LLC (1)
6. Neptune’s Garden LLC (1)
7. The Healing Side LLC (1)
8. Sweet Leaf’s Dispensary LLC (1)
9. NJ Pure (1)
10. Fresh Elizabeth LLC (1)
11. Moja Life (1)
12. Brotherly Bud (1)
13. Ascend New Jersey LLC (1)
14. Ayr Wellness NJ LLC (4)
15. HoneyBuzz Farms (1)

They were renewed in a 5-0 vote.

Houenou gave an update ongoing intoxicating hemp questions.

“The Commission is actively working with the Department of Agriculture on interpretation of the hemp laws to resolve any outstanding questions about the application of hemp statutes and their applicability in the cannabis industry,” she explained.

“We do anticipate some definitive information on that question soon,” Houenou said.

“Clones are coming over state lines. You say it’s hemp,” hemp farmer Thomas Norcia said.

“How do you say the distillate isn’t 5 percent, 6 percent?” he said. “It’s hot and you people are using it.”

Norcia seemed not to like clones coming to Jersey as genetics in production deals, largely done with MSOs, which are common.