New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) has voted in favour of propsoed rules that would relax restrictions on cannabis edibles.
Recreational cannabis sales started in New Jersey in 2022 almost a year and a half after the state voted in the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization (CREAMM) Act in 2020.
Until now, New Jersey has only enabled the sale of cannabis edibles that do not look like food products – such as lozenges and soft chews.
However, on 8 September, an NJCRC meeting saw a vote pass proposed new rules to relax restrictions on cannabis edibles.
The new rules will expand the types of edibles that can be sold – such as drinks, chocolates, baked goods and butters – including shelf stable products.
Products with alcohol, tobacco, or nicotine or any product that would require further cooking or preparation by the consumer will remain prohibited.
Additionally, existing THC limits for foods – no more than 10 mg of THC per serving – would be maintained while beverages would be limited to 5 mg of THC.
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Speaking at the meeting, Chief Counsel Chris Riggs, confirmed that the rules are expected to be published on October 16 with a 60 day comment period until December 15.
The vote follows a report in August published by of the state’s leading trade orgainsations, The New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association (NJCTA), that claimed claimed the industry was not progressing at the same rate as other, smaller states which launched adult-use sales around the same time.
The report states that these states had managed to bring in significantly more tax revenues., highlighting a lack of enforcement in New Jersey which was creating a thriving illicit market, and overregulation that is killing the local legal cannabis industry.
Speaking at the time, The NJCTA told the Philadelphia Inquirer: “Not only are we fighting against the illicit market with our hands tied behind our back because of regulation, but when you can’t even offer the same products, then there’s no choice for [customers] to patronise your stores.”
