Looks like Curaleaf are off the hook in NJ.
NJ Monitor reports
Curaleaf can continue selling recreational cannabis at all of its New Jersey locations after the state’s cannabis regulators reversed a decision they made Thursday that would have sharply limited where the company can sell weed.
Monday’s vote came during an emergency meeting of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission called to address Curaleaf’s application to continue growing and selling recreational marijuana. The newest vote — which grants the company renewal of five annual licenses, with some conditions — came just a few hours after Curaleaf workers rallied in Trenton in opposition to Thursday’s vote.
The commission approved the licenses with four votes in favor and one against — commissioner Charles Barker — and no discussion. The meeting lasted seven minutes.
Last week, just one commission member, Samuel Delgado, voted to renew Curalef’s licenses.
Curaleaf CEO Matt Darin applauded the approval as an “incredible victory” and “vindication for what we knew all along: Curaleaf is in good standing with the CRC and has fulfilled every requirement necessary for the renewal of our licenses.”
“Curaleaf is in good standing with the CRC and has fulfilled every requirement necessary for the renewal of our licenses. I am incredibly proud of and grateful to every one of the hundreds of dedicated team members who showed up today, not just for their jobs and livelihoods, but for a better, safer cannabis industry in New Jersey,” he said in a statement.
Dianna Houneou, the commission’s chair, said Monday that by the body’s next meeting, Curaleaf must provide evidence that it is bargaining with union employees in good faith, attest under oath to its “activities and tactics,” produce records regarding plans to modify its New Jersey operations, and provide information on hiring employees and vendors meeting “certain criteria.”
If by the next meeting, scheduled for June 1, Curaleaf hasn’t met these requirements, the board can issue penalties, including fines and revocation of the renewed licenses, Houneou said.
During Thursday’s meeting, commissioners who voted against Curaleaf’s licenses or abstained from voting indicated that they were displeased with the company’s clash with workers attempting to unionize and with how transparent Curaleaf has been with the state.
Commissioner Krista Nash on Monday said last week’s vote represents a wake-up call for companies that “did not understand or appreciate their obligations as it concerns labor relations.”
“If the meeting served to remind companies of that obligation, then the CRC has done its job,” she said. “Let me make this very clear — it is time that we favor people over profits.”
Nash stressed New Jersey’s marijuana legalization law specifically lays out labor provisions for cannabis companies to follow, including maintaining a labor-peace agreement and bargaining for a contract within 200 days once workers vote to unionize. She made similar statements at Thursday’s meeting.
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Cannabis panel reverses course, approves key licenses for Curaleaf
