With a mature medical marijuana program and the recent legalization of recreational use, the Garden State has rapidly blossomed into a fertile ground for cannabis enterprises. Many entrepreneurs, legacy operators, and founders are eager to get licensed, get connected, and build a business in the New Jersey cannabis ecosystem.
The thriving landscape of this green gold rush is more than just a product of favorable legislation. It’s a testament to the power of networking, shared experiences, and targeted education — elements that NJ Cannabis Insider has brilliantly embodied, becoming the cornerstone for professionals navigating the cannabis industry in New Jersey.
A Forum for Collaboration and Networking
NJ Cannabis Insider, a weekly trade publication and events group spun out by NJ.com and Star Ledger, has proven itself a game-changer in the industry through its top-notch events. On top of regular coverage of the industry from policy, laws, and regulation, to trends and business launches, NJ Cannabis Insider gatherings go beyond being social mixers; they’re hotbeds of innovation and collaboration….and great food.
Recent events such as the Awards Show in Carteret and the Business Meetups in Kenilworth and Long Branch honor those who make a true impact and pave the way for others to position themselves for success.
Celebrating Excellence
The Awards Show on June 8th was a glamorous evening at the Carteret Performing Arts Center filled with valuable networking, tasty bites, and a well-stocked bar. It was a tribute to the innovators who have become the vanguard of the NJ cannabis industry. The Canny Awards acknowledged a spectrum of achievements across categories such as Excellence in Social Equity and Law Firm of the Year, creating a benchmark for success in the industry.
Publisher’s Choice recipients:
- Excellence in Education: Ara Karakashian, Ed.D.
- Breakout Business of the Year: Holistic Solutions Dispensary
- Ambassador of the Year: Hugh Giordano
- Community Game Changer of the Year: Chirali Patel
- Lifetime Achievement: Ken Wolski
Repeat Winners from Last Year:
- Medical Dispensary of the Year: Valley Wellness NJ. Founder Sarah Trent won 2022 Women-owned Business of the Year for her education company, NJ Cannabis Certified.
- Compliance, Security Planning, and Insurance: Sapphire Risk Advisory Group (Tony Gallo). They were also recognized for Excellence in Consultancy and Professional Services in 2022.
- Excellence in Dispensary Operations: Cova Software. They were also recognized for Excellence in Innovation in 2022.
Excellence in Cannabis Law:
- Applications Lawyer: Alana Hans-Cohen, Esq.
- Municipal Lawyer: Mollie Hartman Lustig, Chair Cannabis Practice Group, McLaughlin & Stern LLP
- Employment Lawyer: Jorge Luis Vasquez, Jr. of Vasquez Segarra LLP
- Law Firm of the Year: McLaughlin & Stern, LLP
Excellence in Consultancy and Services:
- Commercial Building Operations: Grow America Builders, LLC
- Application Development: Longview Strategic
- Accounting & Finance: Citrin Cooperman Advisors
- Excellence in Product Innovation (CannPowerment): ButACake
- Excellence in Social Equity: The Hoffman Centers, P.C.
Businesses of the Year:
- Minority-owned Business of the Year: Blaze Responsibly
- Woman-owned Business of the Year: Puffin
- Excellence in Healthcare and Life Sciences: Bennabis Health
- Recreational Dispensary of the Year: Apothecarium NJ Dispensary Maplewood
- CBD Shop of the Year: Elevated by The CannaBoss Lady (Jill Cohen)
A full gallery of the winners is available on the NJ.com website.
But, more than recognizing achievements, the Awards Show facilitated dialogue and the exchange of ideas, making it a significant milestone in the growth of New Jersey’s cannabis scene. The night of food, drinks, and celebration set a great energy for conversation and momentum.
Rounding up the Community
NJ Cannabis Insider’s latest Business Meetup, held on July 26th, set against the backdrop of the beach at the Wave Resort in Long Branch, was an enlightening and educational gathering of around 200 industry professionals and leaders. Looking for parking at the Jersey Shore is always rough, but Valet was covered for the event, which made for a seamless entry and exit. In classic NJCI fashion, good food, drinks, networking, and education were in stock.
Thanks to the participation of regulatory and support bodies like the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, the NJ Business Action Center, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), attendees were privy to the latest insights and future initiatives in the industry.
A full rundown of the announcements is available on NJ.com, and you’ll definitely want to read it twice. Dianna Houenou from the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission enlightened the audience that the CRC is committed to providing assistance to minority applicants awaiting the final seal of approval. Optimism built up in the air with a few facts like there are now 35 adult-use and 44 medical dispensaries, and many licenses have been granted. Houenou shared other valuable information, such as the top 3 reasons why license applicants need extensions, are delays with real estate, lack of funding, and municipal approval delays. For those reasons, 75% of the 1,200 conditional license applicants need extensions.
Kelly Anderson and Megan Tagliaferri, also with the CRC, gave invaluable advice on ensuring license applications meet all requirements to maximize success. With the applications opening up on Sept. 27, entrepreneurs are encouraged to get prepared and take advantage of available resources provided by the CRC and the New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC).
From the NJBAC, Tauhid Chappell and Penni Wild announced more details about the rollout of the Cannabis Training Academy. Later this winter, there will be over 60 online courses available for free especially built for those pursuing an adult-use license. There is also a roster of mentors providing expert industry insight to enable eligible students to make the best business decisions.
Genevieve Jones from the NJEDA shared news about the second round of grant applications expected to launch in late August or early fall. From its $10 million Cannabis Equity Grant Program, social equity founders with a conditional license needing assistance with real estate or annual license conversion can apply for a $150,000 grant.
Some event sponsors also had booths to have more conversations with attendees, like adult-use dispensaries, Canna Remedies in Ewing, and Queen City Dispensary in Plainfield, NJ. This provides the opportunity for anyone looking to network with dispensaries a clear shot to do so.
Overall, the Summer Business Meetup really brings out the right mix of professionals, so everyone finds value in being there past having a great time. These interactions are critical in shaping the cannabis industry, proving the importance of such events in building a robust and interconnected cannabis community in New Jersey.
Their meticulously curated events, such as the Awards Show and the Business Meetup series, continue to set the pace for the industry, propelling New Jersey to the forefront of cannabis innovation and growth. NJCI has established itself as a major facilitator in the space, and anyone involved in the cannabis industry in NJ should have these events on their radar. Mark your calendars for the next big event, NJ Cannabis Insider Live, a conference on October 12th at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Newark.
