When Will New Jersey's Marijuana Sales Begin? What's Next After Yet Another Delay?

Curaleaf Holdings' CURLF founder and chairman Boris Jordan was one of many disappointed cannabis entrepreneurs who did not take the news well.

"Frustrating day in NJ – once again, the goal posts have been moved & the will of the people and the Governor is being ignored! We will continue to fight for what the NJ voters decided they want – a safe & regulated adult-use cannabis marketplace," Jordan, who will be delivering a keynote at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, said in a recent Tweet.

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission took the decision on the grounds that, in the aggregate, cannabis operator in the state doesn't have enough capacity to serve the current medical market.

Following its midday meeting, the state regulator called a special meeting for April 11, where the issue will be revisited.

Recreational Sales To Launch By Mid-May

Cantor Fitzgerald's Pablo Zuanic said that recreation sales might begin in the Garden State by mid-May despite this setback.

"In practical terms, the CRC only has two weeks to check operators' capacity and ability to supply the med market," the analyst said in his latest note. "Because of probably significant political pressure and lobbying, we are of the opinion some incumbents (not all) will get the green light on 4/11."

CRC Executive Director Jeff Brown explained that "our goal is to work with the industry and the industry to work with us so at the very next CRC meeting we have a cohort of ATCs that are turnkey to launch this market here, simply pending a vote by this commission," reported NJ Advance Media.

"If for any that are still not there, hopefully (they'll be) ready for conditional approval pending certain timelines and regulatory milestones that we can work to get done."

Still, Zuanic questions the "motivations/intentions of the CRC and constant delays."

Without having all the facts, it would seem the CRC may want to delay the rec head start for med incumbents in order to narrow the gap with new social equity applicants starting operations," he added.

Either way, New Jersey is still on track to beat Massachusetts in terms of launching the marijuana recreational market after voters approved it via the ballot box in November 2020, the analyst noted.

Conditional Licenses

Separately, the commission unanimously awarded the first 68 conditional licenses to adult-use cannabis cultivators and manufacturers, including 50 cultivators and 18 manufacturers, reported Politico.

 Zuanic said these businesses will not be ready to supply the market until the first half of 2023.

"If the newly approved licensees submit their application by March 31, are approved by April 31, the only thing preventing them from starting would be build out and receiving local permits," the analyst added.

Come and meet Curaleaf's Boris Jordan in person at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference to be held at Miami Beach's Fontainebleau Hotel April 20-21. There will be a host of other speakers who are also moving markets and shaping cannabis policy. Tickets are still available HERE. Don't miss this unique opportunity!