Bill > S3179

Introduced Session

This bill removes certain prohibitions imposed on the commissioners of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission and makes various reforms concerning the legalized medical and personal use cannabis marketplace. Under the bill, a commissioner who holds local elected office may campaign and fundraise for such office in the election year for that office. Under current law, a commissioner is required to devote the member's entire time and attention to the commissioner's duties. Pursuant to P.L.2025, c.86, a member may hold local elected office, provided that, in the judgment of the State Ethics Commission and Local Finance Board of the Department of Community Affairs, such office or employment will not interfere with the member's responsibilities to the commission, and will not create a conflict of interest, or reasonable risk of the public perception of a conflict of interest, on the part of the member. This bill clarifies that such local elected official may take an active part in a campaign, including fundraising for reelection of the local elected office. A member of the commission who is seeking to concurrently hold local elected office is prohibited from accepting donations from any person or entity which holds an ownership interest in a cannabis business and precludes any person with ownership interest from donating to the campaign of a commission member seeking local elected office. The bill permits a member of the commission and the executive director or any other employee of the commission, following written notice by a member or the executive director to the chair, to attend a political event in the member's, director's, or employee's official capacity. The bill removes the limitation that commission members, the executive director, and employees are prohibited from meeting or discussing with any person any issues involving any pending or proposed application or any matter whatsoever which may reasonably be expected to come before the commission. Under the bill, such meetings or discussions may occur upon the commission's business premises or any other location designated by the commission. The bill increases the salary of the members of the commission to $160,000, the chair of the commission to at least $165,000, and the executive director of the commission to $175,000. The bill also establishes that a majority of the authorized members of the commission designate the chair of the commission. Under current law, the Governor designates the chair of the commission. The bill also permits an immediate family member of certain State officers or employees to hold, directly or indirectly, an interest in medical or adult-use cannabis entities only if , in the judgment of the State Ethics Commission, the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards, or the Supreme Court, as appropriate, such employment will not interfere with the responsibilities of the State officer or employee, or person, and will not create a conflict of interest, or reasonable risk of the public perception of a conflict of interest, on the part of the State officer or employee, or person. The bill also makes changes related to representation, appearance for, and negotiations. The bill changes the definition of "person" under section 4 of P.L.1981, c.142 (C.52:13D-17.2), regarding conflicts of interest matters, to provide that "person" does not mean any State officer or employee subject to financial disclosure by law or executive order, nor any members of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, meaning they would fall outside certain restrictions imposed upon "persons" under the law regarding cannabis activities. Moreover, the bill permits a special State officer or employee, or any member of the immediate family to hold, directly or indirectly, an interest in various medical and personal use cannabis business entities and similarly, to hold employment with cannabis related entities. Finally, the bill permits a special State officer or employee, or any member of the immediate family, without matters affecting medical cannabis or personal use cannabis activity, to obtain employment with such businesses within two years subsequent to the termination of the office or employment of such person. The bill imposes limitations on certain other persons associated with partnerships, firms and corporations. The bill modifies CREAMMA as it relates to Workplace Impairment Recognition Experts (WIRE). The bill renames WIRE to "Workplace Impairment Recognition Evaluator," shifts certain certification authority from the Police Training Commission to the Department of Labor and Workplace Development, and finally, requires the commission to issue a certification to a person upon completion of necessary courses. The bill clarifies that the definition "ownership interest" applies only to present rights to ownership or equity interest in an entity, but not a future right. Moreover, the bill clarifies that an alternative treatment center (ATC) that was expanded to the adult-use market pays the identical fee applicable to the relevant adult-use license renewal fee. The bill establishes that an applicant seeking a minority-owned, women-owned, or disabled-veteran owned certification may reference an investor, the members of an investor group, or fund in order to meet certification requirements. The bill establishes that any change in ownership interest to a minority-owned, women-owned, or disabled-veteran owned business will require such business to recertify with the commission the eligibility of such certification. The bill also makes changes to current law related to license holders holding multiple licenses, and permits certain licenses to maintain satellite locations. The bill requires the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) to develop and implement an enforcement program to identify, investigate, and initiate enforcement actions against unlicensed businesses selling cannabis or cannabis items. The NJSP or a local law enforcement agency is permitted to take steps to close such businesses, seize any cannabis sold by the unlicensed business, and refer the matter for criminal prosecution. In addition, an unlicensed business may be deemed a public nuisance subject to abatement under State and municipal law. The bill permits the commission to make recommendations to the Legislature related to the establishment of a new license type. Finally, the bill clarifies that the commission may, by rule or regulation, exempt certain employees, including entry-level employees, from the requirements of a criminal history background check.

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Nick Scutari (D)*, 

Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2025, c.325. (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document