In a shock move, New Jersey regulators have significantly amended plans to give ‘social equity’ applicants the first shot at establishing cannabis businesses.
Back in June, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission voted to give applicants with prior convictions for cannabis offences living in economically disadvantaged parts of New Jersey exclusivity access to wholesale, distribution, and delivery service licences for one year.
However, on Tuesday (July 18), the commission voted to dramatically reduce this time period to three months, with cannabis businesses owned by women, minorities or disabled veterans given priority for the following three months.
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According to the New Jersey Monitor, the about-turn was driven by criticisms the policy would exclude cannabis entrepreneurs who were harmed by the drug war but did not fit the limited definition of a social equity applicant.
The new rules, which do not apply to applicants for cultivation, manufacturing, or retail licences, are due to come into force from September 27.
Chairwoman Dianne Houenou said of the original vote: “I think it is well-intentioned, though not quite hitting the mark, to exclude diversely owned businesses from being able to submit applications to the CRC in a timely manner that will allow them to be able to get up and running.”
