TRENTON – During its final public meeting of 2024, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) voted to begin accepting applications for cannabis consumption area endorsements on January 2, 2025. The commissioners also set the Social Equity Excise Fee (SEEF) at $2.50 per ounce of cannabis.
Consumption Areas
The NJ-CRC approved the Notice of Application Acceptance (NOAA) for consumption areas and will begin accepting applications from Social Equity designated retail businesses (whose owner(s) have had cannabis-related convictions or who have lived in Economically Disadvantaged areas) on January 2, 2025. Three months later, on April 2, applications will open to microbusinesses and Diversely-Owned dispensaries (minority-owned, woman-owned, disabled veteran-owned as certified by the New Jersey Department of Treasury). On July 2, applications will open to all other Class 5 retail operators.
“The approval of the Notice of Application Acceptance is a critical step in opening the doors for cannabis consumption areas in New Jersey,” said Acting Executive Director Christopher Riggs. “This document outlines all the necessary requirements, application criteria, and timelines, providing clear guidance for applicants. For those seeking endorsements to establish consumption areas, it serves as a comprehensive roadmap to navigate the process effectively and position themselves for success in this emerging sector.”
All applicants seeking cannabis consumption area endorsements must submit their applications through the designated application portal. While there is no cap on the total number of consumption areas statewide, regulated entities are restricted in the number of endorsements they can hold. The endorsement application fee is $1,000 for all businesses: $200 to submit the application and $800 once approved. The annual licensing fee is set at $1,000 for microbusinesses and $5,000 for standard businesses. The NJ-CRC will maintain an up-to-date list of all approved cannabis consumption areas on its website.
In addition to being a good business opportunity for some cannabis retailers, the designated spaces are considered a crucial tool for providing equitable access for consuming adults since some – such as renters – cannot consume cannabis in their homes.
The NJ-CRC will release application documents and other resources on their website within the next week.
Social Equity Excise Fee (SEEF)
The Social Equity Excise Fee (SEEF) rate for 2025 was voted on to be adjusted to $2.50 per ounce, up from $1.24 in 2024. The SEEF is collected from cannabis cultivators when they sell or transfer products to other license classes.
According to the CREAMM Act, the funds generated from this fee must be allocated to initiatives that support education, economic development, and social services for individuals and communities negatively impacted by cannabis criminalization.
The new SEEF rate goes into effect on January 1, 2025.
2025 Public Meeting Schedule
The Commission also approved its 2025 public meeting schedule, which includes ten meetings: six will be held at 44 South Clinton Avenue in Trenton, and four will be virtual. All meetings will begin at 11 a.m. In-person meetings will continue to be streamed live on YouTube, with the opportunity for in-person, telephonic, and written comments. The virtual meetings will be hosted on Zoom and then posted on YouTube.
The full 2025 schedule is now available on the NJ-CRC website at nj.gov/cannabis/about/meetings
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission establishes and enforces the rules and regulations governing the licensing, cultivation, testing, selling, and purchasing of cannabis in the state.
