NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission Announces New License Categories for Wholesale, Distribution, and Delivery

Beginning September 27, 2023, applications open with priority given to Social Equity and Diversely-Owned Businesses; NJ-CRC to host an informational webinar on September 14.

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) will start accepting applications for wholesale, distribution, and delivery licenses in the recreational cannabis sector beginning September 27, 2023. To help applicants, an educational webinar is scheduled for September 14.

The NJ-CRC aims to expand and diversify the state’s flourishing cannabis industry. The upcoming application window will prioritize Social Equity and Diversely-Owned Businesses, giving them an exclusive 90-day review and approval period from September 27 to December 26, 2023. Following this period, applications from other Diversely-Owned Businesses will be considered for another 90-day window, before opening up to all applicants on March 27, 2024.

Additional License Classes

New or existing operators can apply for licenses in three new classes:

Class 3 Cannabis Wholesale License: Enables storage, purchase, and bulk sale of cannabis and cannabis products.
Class 4 Cannabis Distribution License: Allows the transportation of bulk cannabis and cannabis products between cultivators, manufacturers, or retailers within New Jersey.
Class 6 Cannabis Delivery License: Permits the delivery of retail-purchased cannabis and cannabis products to consumers.

Commission Chairwoman Dianna Houenou expressed, "The launch of these new cannabis business license classes represents a significant step in the continued growth and diversification of New Jersey's cannabis industry."

She added that the industry is now robust enough to accommodate these new classes, aiming to foster inclusivity and provide opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Jeff Brown, the executive director of NJ-CRC, stated, "Now that New Jersey's market is on the cusp of 50 operational cannabis retailers, opening up applications for delivery services, wholesalers, and distributors will help New Jersey's market serve consumers better."

Webinar for Applicants

To reduce application errors and deficiencies—almost 1,800 "cure letters" have been sent out from a pool of 2,014 applications received so far—the NJ-CRC will host a webinar on September 14 at 2 p.m.

Brown said, "To assist applicants with meeting the legal requirements for licensure, the webinar will review how to complete the process accurately and minimize hold-ups like cure letters."

The webinar and application process information can be found on the NJ-CRC website at nj.gov/cannabis/resources/webinars.

For Morristown and Morris County residents interested in entering or expanding their presence in the cannabis industry, this is a significant opportunity. The new license classes and priority periods for Social Equity and diverse-owned businesses signal an evolving and increasingly inclusive cannabis market in New Jersey.