New Jersey Is Now Accepting Applications For Marijuana Consumption Lounge Licenses, With Social Equity Businesses At Front Of The Line
Applications have officially opened to operate a licensed marijuana consumption lounge in New Jersey.
The Other side Dispensary Founder, Dr. Alyza “Beast” Bervard-Rodriguez, a Social Equity applicant who has been fighting to open her cannabis lounge since day 1 will finally get the opportunity.
Nearly a year after the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) finalized rules for the lounges, applications can now be submitted by qualified social equity businesses as of Thursday.
Applications from microbusinesses and diversely-owned dispensaries are set to open on April 2. Then all other retailers will get to apply starting July 2.
NJ-CRC members have said they expect the addition of cannabis consumption areas will have a positive economic benefit for the state by generating more tax revenue from marijuana sales and annual fees.
Last month, in addition to releasing application forms for the new license type, NJ-CRC also approved a cannabis fee increase to support the state’s social equity program.
Also last month, regulators announced that New Jersey marijuana sales officially exceeded $1 billion for 2024.
Since the adult-use market launched in April 2022—and the number of licensed dispensaries surpassed 190—the state has seen more than $2 billion in cannabis sales. Businesses will be limited to owning one social use license, regardless of how many dispensaries they operate. There will be a $1,000 fee for microbusinesses to obtain a consumption area endorsement and a $5,000 fee for standard businesses.