The NJ-CRC is the governing body established by the CREAMM Act responsible for regulating the Medicinal Cannabis Program, as well as the new recreational cannabis program in New Jersey for adults 21 years and older. The agency launched on April 12, 2021, and establish the rules necessary for the operation of cannabis businesses in the state.

The NJ-CRC is responsible for writing and enforcing the regulations that direct the sales, purchases, and business activities related to cannabis in New Jersey. The agency reviews license applications, rewards business licenses, and ensures legislative mandates on social equity awards are met. To protect the safety of cannabis consumers and to assure patient access, the NJ-CRC imposes fines or other sanctions on licensed cannabis business that violate regulations.

The NJ-CRC does not perform any law enforcement duties or regulate unpermitted or unlicensed entities in any way, expunge criminal records, direct municipal action on permitting or zoning of cannabis businesses, decide the location of cannabis businesses, permit individuals to grow their own cannabis, or overrule or conflict with existing statutes. 

No. The price of cannabis in both the medicinal and recreational cannabis market is set by the cannabis business that sells the products.

Under the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (CREAMM Act), the NJ-CRC was required to establish rules and regulations governing the recreational cannabis industry by August 21, 2021. To achieve this goal, the Commission worked with government officials, stakeholders, members of the public, and experts across the country to develop rules that specify the requirements to operate a cannabis business, promote the production of safer products, and incorporate ideas from the public. The CRC adopted initial rules on August 19, 2021. The rules were amended and readopted on March 7, 2023.  Visit our Laws and Statutes and Resolutions pages for more information on New Jersey cannabis regulation.

The NJ-CRC has adopted testing standards for laboratories testing medicinal cannabis and adult-use cannabis.