N.J. Admin. Code § 17:30-7.1

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 17:30-7.1 - Expanded alternative treatment centers

(a) Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 24:6I-46.a(3)(a)(ii), the Commission shall not require a full application pursuant to N.J.A.C. 17:30-7.10 from an alternative treatment center in order for the ATC to begin engaging in the cultivation, manufacturing, retailing, wholesaling, distributing, or delivery of cannabis items, as applicable.

(b) Notwithstanding (a) above, an ATC that wishes to engage in the cultivation, manufacturing, retailing, wholesaling, distributing, or delivery of cannabis items, as applicable, shall submit to the Commission:

1. A letter of intent notifying the Commission of the licenses sought by the ATC;

2. Municipal approval for each class of license sought by the ATC, which shall include:

i. The ordinance(s) adopted by the municipality authorizing the operation of each class of cannabis business license being sought by the ATC, or a statement explaining that there exists no municipal ordinance prohibiting the class of cannabis business license and, thus, all classes are allowed pursuant to N.J.S.A. 24:6I-45;

ii. An attestation by the ATC that, as a condition of licensure, it shall comply with all restrictions on the location, manner, and times of operation of cannabis businesses established by the municipality; and

iii. Zoning approval, a resolution from the municipality's governing body, or a letter from the highest-ranking municipal official, as applicable, that authorizes the ATC to engage in the cultivation, manufacturing, retailing, wholesaling, distributing, or delivery of cannabis items at the ATC's current premises;

3. A certification to the Commission that the alternative treatment center has sufficient quantities of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products available to meet the reasonably anticipated needs of registered qualifying patients;

4. A certification to the Commission that the alternative treatment center shall not make operational changes that reduce access to medical cannabis for current and newly registered qualifying patients in order to operate a cannabis establishment, as a distributor, or delivery service. Such certification shall include a detailed plan for prioritizing and meeting the needs of registered qualifying patients;

5. A list of owners, principals, management services contractors, financial sources, and vendor-contractors associated with the proposed cultivation, manufacturing, retailing, wholesaling, distributing, or delivery of cannabis items, as applicable.

i. Any new owners, principals, management services contractors, financial sources, or vendor-contractors may be required to comply with the provisions at N.J.A.C. 17:30-7.11, 7.12, and 7.13;

6. An attestation signed by a bona fide labor organization stating that the ATC has entered into a labor peace agreement with such bona fide labor organization;

7. A social equity plan in accordance with N.J.A.C. 17:30-9.4(e) to make a good faith effort to recruit and employ, or contract with as vendor-contractors, persons who would otherwise qualify for the provisions at N.J.A.C. 17:30-6.6(a)1 or 2; and

8. Any other information the Commission deems relevant in determining whether to accept the ATC's certifications.

(c) In determining whether to accept the ATC's certifications pursuant to (b) above, the Commission shall assess:

1. Total qualifying patient enrollment in the Statewide medical cannabis program;

2. Qualifying patient enrollment at the ATC;

3. Statewide inventory and inventory of the ATC;

4. Statewide sales of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, and sales at the ATC;

5. The current medical cannabis canopy of the ATC;

6. The total medical cannabis canopy needed to serve the ATC's qualifying patients on an ongoing basis;

7. The total medical cannabis canopy needed to serve the total number of qualifying patients in the medical cannabis program on an ongoing basis; and

8. The operational plans and capacity of the ATC to maintain or expand medical cannabis access for qualifying patients.

(d) The Commission shall only accept a certification from an ATC pursuant to (c) above, when an ATC has proven, by clear and convincing evidence, that engaging in the cultivation, manufacturing, retailing, wholesaling, distributing, or delivery of cannabis items, as applicable, shall not impact access for registered qualifying medical cannabis patients and shall not impact the availability of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products.

(e) The Commission shall approve an expanded ATC in accordance with this subchapter where:

1. An ATC has submitted complete and accurate and verifiable information, as determined by the Commission, pursuant to (b) above;

2. The Commission accepts the ATC's certifications, pursuant to (b), (c), and (d) above; and

3. The ATC pays the conversion fee pursuant to N.J.A.C. 17:30-7.17.

(f) The Commission shall issue a written notice of its approval to an expanded ATC.

(g) After the expanded ATC has completed any necessary construction or preparation of an expanded ATC, the expanded ATC shall request an onsite assessment.

(h) The Commission shall conduct an onsite assessment of the expanded ATC and determine whether its premises, operations, and procedures are consistent with its application, and compliant with the Act and this chapter.

(i) If the Commission determines compliance, it shall issue the cannabis license(s) to the expanded ATC.

(j) The Commission may deny an expanded ATC where:

1. The Commission does not accept the ATC's certifications pursuant to (c) and (d) above;

2. The ATC does not meet the requirements at (b) above;

3. The ATC fails to provide information, documentation, and assurances as required pursuant to P.L. 2021, c. 16(N.J.S.A. 24:6I-31 et seq.), or this subchapter, or as requested by the Commission;

4. The ATC fails to reveal any material fact pertaining to the ATC's certifications; or

5. The ATC supplies information that is untrue or misleading as to a material fact pertaining to the qualification criteria for an expanded ATC.

(k) If an expanded ATC is denied pursuant to this subchapter, the Commission shall provide the denial to the ATC, in writing, which shall include:

1. Notice of the denial of the expanded ATC and the specific reason for the denial; and

2. The opportunity to request an administrative hearing within 45 days after the date of the denial.

(l) The final decision on an expanded ATC shall be considered a final agency decision, subject to judicial review by, and of which jurisdiction and venue for such review are vested in, the Appellate Division of the Superior Court pursuant to N.J.A.C. 17:30-20.10.

(m) An expanded ATC is a cannabis business and subject to all provisions of this chapter that are applicable to cannabis businesses.

(n) Application materials submitted to the Commission pursuant to N.J.S.A. 24:6I-46.a(e)(3)(ii) and this section shall not be considered public records pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., or the common law concerning access to government records.

N.J. Admin. Code § 17:30-7.1

Adopted by 53 N.J.R. 1583(a), effective 8/19/2021

Amended by 55 N.J.R. 402(a), effective 3/6/2023