'We just want to see this market continue to grow,' says cannabis regulator as NJ surpasses 100 dispensaries

Marijuana sales in the state reached nearly $675 million last year, according to Cannabis Regulatory Commission Executive Director Jeff Brown. The agency’s dispensary directory now shows 102 medicinal and recreational cannabis dispensaries across the state.

Brown says that shows the steady progress the marketplace has made, despite more than 60% of New Jersey municipalities opting out of having cannabis businesses in their jurisdictions.

“We’re covering 20 out of 21 counties,” Brown said. “Every week, we make more progress here. We see more and more growth, and this is a huge milestone in that continuum.”

“More people across the state have access to safe, legal cannabis, and each week more people can purchase it at small, diversely owned businesses,” Brown said.

He says the Commission’s initiatives for diversity, equity and inclusion are on track. Regulators set up a social equity program to prioritize people of color, women and veterans in the application process. According to CRC data, about 70% of the 2,400 applications received are from diverse ownership teams — and about 71% of the licenses awarded have gone to businesses with diverse ownership teams.

CONTINUE READING THIS NEWS HERE