Cannabis Regulatory Commission

The NJ-CRC's Promise of Social Equity

Posted on - 02/2/2024
Share on Social :
The NJ-CRC's Promise of Social Equity

The NJ-CRC's Promise of Social Equity The NJ-CRC's Promise of Social Equity. Guest: Wesley McWhite III, Director, Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission

Wesley McWhite III, director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion at NJ-CRC, delves into the crucial conversation about social equity in the cannabis industry and how the NJ-CRC works to create an equitable cannabis market in New Jersey. 

Episode Notes: Data discussed in this episode may have changed. To review current data on social equity applicant demographic data, visit nj.gov/cannabis/diversity-inclusion.

Other places to listen:

Spotify | Pocketcast

Previous Blog Posts

How Terpenes Affect Your Cannabis Experience

How Terpenes Affect Your Cannabis Experience

03/24/2026

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in plants, including cannabis. They give plants their characteristic scents, help protect them from mold, fungus and other pathogens, and play a crucial role in modulating cannabis' psychoactive effects. For example, two strains with identical THC percentages can feel completely different, one may leave you sedated and the other may leave you energized. More than a hundred terpenes exist in cannabis, each with its unique aroma and potential therapeutic benefits. Terpenes are essential for shaping the plant’s impact on the human body and mind.

2025 in Review -- a year of continued growth & equity at NJ-CRC

2025 in Review -- a year of continued growth & equity at NJ-CRC

02/5/2026

In 2025, the Commission continued expanding access to regulated cannabis for patients and consumers across the state, with more than 396 licensed businesses operating in 211 municipalities. New Jersey’s cannabis market continued to mature, generating nearly $860 million in sales during the first three quarters of the year. During the same period, approximately $49.5 million in tax revenue and just over $8 million in SEEF funds were collected. Equity remained central to the Commission’s work in 2025. From licensing and education to data transparency and community engagement, the NJ-CRC took deliberate steps to ensure that the benefits of legalization continue to reach diverse entrepreneurs and communities most impacted by cannabis prohibition, while holding licensees accountable to the standards set forth under the CREAMM Act.

High Hopes: Guiding budding businesses with the NJ-CRC

High Hopes: Guiding budding businesses with the NJ-CRC

09/5/2025

Nana Amponsah, business development representative at NJ-CRC, talks about her role, as part of the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, in identifying challenges cannabis entrepreneurs face, providing assistance to applicants and new businesses wherever possible, and acting as a liaison between cannapreneurs and other state agencies that provide support. She also explains how NJ cannabis business development differs from other fields, emphasizing the continuous need for support.