The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission licensed 14 new marijuana businesses Friday in a process that took far longer than anyone thought — but could be a start toward a larger cannabis industry in the state.
The licenses are part of the 2019 application round, in which approximately 200 entrepreneurs applied for licenses to grow and sell medical marijuana. A lawsuit brought the process to a standstill for more than a year.
To be clear, these licenses are for medical marijuana businesses only. The commission is expected to soon begin licensing new businesses that would sell cannabis to the public. And these businesses eventually may be able to sell to the public, too.
All of the businesses given licenses Friday are certified minority- or women-owned.
Ten companies were awarded licenses to grow marijuana (this is twice the number that was originally planned):
- Bloom Medicinals of PA;
- CYOURNJ;
- Garden State Releaf;
- Green Medicine NJ;
- GSCC Management;
- Hillview Med;
- The NAR Group;
- NJ Nectar Ventures;
- Noble Valley Harvest Co.;
- ZY Labs.
These companies will add 235,000 square feet of space to grow medical marijuana.
The following companies were awarded vertically integrated licenses, allowing them to grow, manufacture and dispense cannabis:
- Altus New Jersey;
- Etain NJ;
- Greenhouse Wellness of NJ;
- Holistic NJ.
New Jersey CannaBusiness Association President Edmund DeVeaux was thrilled the state was able to finally take this next step.
“This is an exciting day, both for the awardees and for progress in the cannabis space. Congratulations to all those who have been awarded licenses,” he said. “The New Jersey CannaBusiness Association is here to support and assist them in establishing their business or helping them reach a conclusion that is best for them.
“The CRC’s action today moves us one step closer to issuing applications for the first round of adult-use licenses in New Jersey. Like many, we await that day with eager anticipation and look forward to helping future adult-use license holders as well.”
