ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 6267

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 8, 2026

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 6267 (1R).

      As amended, this bill removes certain prohibitions imposed on the commissioners of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (the commission) and makes various reforms concerning the legalized medical and personal use cannabis marketplace.

      The bill increases the salary of the members of the commission to $160,000, the chair of the commission to $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 permits immediate family members of any State officer, employee, or a person, as defined in N.J.S.A.52:13D-17.2, to represent, appear for, or negotiate on behalf of any holder of or applicant for a medical or adult-use cannabis business. 

      The bill stipulates that a special State officer or employee without responsibility for matters affecting medical or personal use cannabis activity, or an immediate family member of the person, who is associated with certain partnerships, firms, or corporations that represent, appear for, or negotiate on behalf of cannabis businesses must wait two years after leaving office or employment prior to personally participating in any such representation, appearance, or negotiation.  Currently, such individuals are required to wait one year after leaving office or employment before obtaining employment with such a business.

      The bill modifies the "New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act," P.L.2021, c.16 (C.24:6I-31 et al.), 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.  However, the bill requires that upon 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.

      As amended, the bill requires that meetings of more than two members of the commission with any person to discuss any issues involving any pending or proposed application, or any matter whatsoever which may reasonably be expected to come before the commission, be subject to the “Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act,” P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.).

      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 specifies that a familial relationship to a license holder, other than the spouse, domestic partner, or civil union partner, and a dependent child or stepchild, does not affect the prohibition against a license holder concurrently holding more than one license of each class.

      The bill provides that the holder of a Class 5 Cannabis Retailer license is authorized to maintain up to two satellite retail locations, provided the licensee first secures commission approval.

      The provisions of the bill will become effective on the 90th day following the date of enactment.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

     The committee amended the bill to clarify that any meetings regarding issues involving any pending or proposed applications, or any other matter which may reasonably be expected to come before the commission, that is attended by more than two members, rather than one member as introduced, is subject to the “Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act,” P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.).

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) finds that the required salary increases under the bill for the Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s five members and the Executive Director will increase annual compensation costs by $198,000, plus benefits.

      The State Police may incur additional annual expenditures to develop and implement an enforcement program pursuant to the bill.  The OLS notes to the extent the State Police are already undertaking activities required by the bill, any State expenditure increases would be minimized.