Following the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) missing the deadline to begin accepting license applications last week, the commission has announced that dispensaries will not be permitted to sell certain cannabis-infused products.
According to New Jersey 101.5, cannabis-infused products like cookies, brownies, gummies or anything that "resembles food"—aside from lozenges—will not be permitted for sale in the state.
While the industry is frustrated with the state's lack of licensing approval, the article states that some groups seem OK with the state's infused products regulations.
The president of the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association, Edmund DeVeaux, said in the article that the CRC's regulations were not surprising, as they were implemented to "balance citizen concerns."
"This is an opportunity for people to get used to the notion of legalized cannabis without having to worry about the children or seniors and them accessing edibles, sweets, anything that contains THC, whether intentionally or accidentally," DeVeaux said.
DeVeaux also expressed that the state's rules are more strict than other states because, in some states where cannabis is legal, there has been an increase in hospital visits from those who have consumed cannabis.
"Even the one emergency room visit would have been a cause for concern in some communities, so this way, we avoid that," he said.
Since the rules are interim, DeVeaux said they could change by the end of next summer.
"It'll look fairly medicinal, as opposed to culinary," DeVeaux said. "And once people feel comfortable and have confidence that we're doing the right thing, then I think we'll be able to move forward with products that are more appealing to the adult community and patients."
