TRENTON – The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) will host a series of virtual meetings to gather community input on the allocation of funds raised from the Social Equity Excise Fee (SEEF) on recreational cannabis sales. Input collected from public comment at the meetings and from written submissions will inform the Commission’s recommendations to the governor and legislature.

The virtual meetings are scheduled as follows:

Northern region

• Tuesday, March 26, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (via Zoom)

Central region

• Wednesday, March 27, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. (via Zoom)

Southern region

• Thursday, March 28, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (via Zoom)

The CREAMM Act, which legalized recreational cannabis, requires that all tax revenue, fees, and fines collected by the NJ-CRC must be placed in the CREAMM Fund, and that the New Jersey Legislature appropriate investments in designated Impact Zones. The law specifies that SEEF funds from recreational cannabis sales are to be used for social equity investments. This could include assistance for those adversely affected by past marijuana convictions, more affordable housing, educational support, and mental health services, or an increase in funding for workforce development programs.

The February 2023 and June 2022 recommendations to legislature can be found at nj.gov/cannabis/resources/reports-stats-info.

Though the meetings are open to everyone, the NJ-CRC seeks ideas specific to North Jersey on March 26, Central Jersey on March 27, and South Jersey on March 28. The public can register to speak or submit a written comment by going to nj.gov/cannabis/meetings and looking for the link under “Public Hearings.”

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.

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