EDITOR’S NOTE: NJ Cannabis Insider is hosting a day-long conference and networking event March 16 at the Carteret Performing Arts Center, featuring many of the state’s leading power players. Tickets are limited.
New Jersey residents and activists gave their take on how cannabis tax revenue should be invested in communities to advance social equity at the first of three regional hearings by the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission Wednesday night.
There wasn’t a shortage of ideas.
Joe Johnson of Newark said for the first year of what is expected to be a multi-billion industry in New Jersey, he’d like to see a big chunk of the cannabis tax revenues take the form of grants, or low or no interest loans to help people like him who lack the means to enter the industry.
“These funds can also go directly to impact zone municipalities to assist them in propping up their own municipal equity programs that are more narrowly tailored to the needs of the community,” Johnson told the state-appointed panel at the hearing, which was aimed at North Jersey communities.
But one area that’s a definite `no’ on cannabis revenue for Johnson: law enforcement purposes.
“None of it should go toward that,” said Johnson.
And he added a warning.
“If New Jersey does not invest equity in the industry in the very beginning for the communities most impacted by the criminalization of cannabis, it’s just not going to happen,” said Johnson. “Like other states, it will be an industry monopolized by wealthy white people and multi-state operators.”
Commissioner Charles Barker urged New Jerseyans to think big as the adult market is anticipated to open soon and receipts begin rolling in.
He said residents whose lives could be affected by money from cannabis sales should “share their radical imagination” on using cannabis revenue “for restorative justice” at these hearings.
“Imagine your neighborhood with more, thriving with job opportunities, business development, green spaces and open playing fields for children, improved housing … the list goes on and on when it comes to the opportunities and changes that can be made for past, present and future generations,” said Barker. “Please bring these ideas to the table.”
The market for adult use recreational cannabis hasn’t opened yet. The commission said at its latest board meeting last month it hopes to finish reviewing the first applications from a dozen alternative treatment centers to expand to serve both the medical and recreational markets by March 15.
“There are many promises when it comes to the legalization of cannabis. To me there’s none higher than the importance of reinvesting revenues back into communities that have been harmed by the criminalization of cannabis and other drugs for many years,” said CRC Executive Director Jeff Brown, who stressed that the feedback from the public “is vital.”
Barker ticked off examples of how other states were utilizing cannabis tax revenue for social equity investments:
* In Evanston, Illinois, municipal officials have used the money to create a reparations home ownership program for Black residents.
* More than $100 million in cannabis tax revenue has taken the form of community grants for people most harmed by the war on drugs.
* Colorado has contributed more than $400 million in cannabis tax revenue toward the state’s public school system since November 2021.
Commissioner Krista Nash said one of the highest priorities is to support social equity businesses that are owned by individuals who live in economically disadvantaged areas, have a certain median income, have a past cannabis conviction, as well as diversely-owned businesses run by women, disabled veterans and minorities.
Ami Kachalia, campaign strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, urged the panel to build from the regional hearings and reach out to more grassroots organizations in future years long before the budget process starts in Trenton. She also urged the Legislature to hold similar hearings each year.
“That way the recommendations that the communities give are more fully incorporated into the (state) budget before the governor’s proposed budget is released,” said Kachalia. “We urge the CRC to … prioritize justice and equity rather than perpetuating the injustices of our current system.”
Gov. Phil Murphy plans to release his state budget on Tuesday.
Kieshia Bowman, a community organizer and business community liaison in Newark, reminded the panel that cannabis revenues could go a long way in her neighborhood on Halsey Street.
“We are most hopeful that … the funding will go to things that will benefit us, such as funding for expungement clinics, free education for our communities, from child care to college, and technical assistance programs for Black women who are entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry,” Bowman said.
The regional hearings, required under the law legalizing adult use marijuana, will continue via Zoom March 9 at 7 p.m. for Central Jersey residents. South Jersey will get its turn March 16.
The CRC will take what it learns at the hearings and make recommendations to the Legislature. Prior to July 1, the Legislature will tell the commission what it will implement to advance and support social equity.
The panel said it hopes to make these regional hearings a staple every year around this time — much like the annual budget process in Trenton.
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Suzette Parmley may be reached at sparmley@njadvancemedia.com or follow her on Twitter: @SuzParmley