New Jersey Cannabis Commission to Hold Virtual Meetings on How Social Equity Excise Fee Dollars Should Be Spent

“Input collected from public comments at the meetings and from written submissions will inform the Commission’s recommendations to the Governor and Legislature”, states a press release from the CRC.

The virtual meetings are scheduled as follows:

Northern region

·         Thursday, January 15, 2026, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (via Zoom)

Central region 

·         Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (via Zoom)

Southern region

·         Thursday, January 29, 2026, 2 to 3 p.m. (via Zoom)

The CREAMM (Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization) Act, which legalized adult-use cannabis in 2021, 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 adult use 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, mental health services, or an increase in funding for workforce development programs.

The June 2025, May 2024, February 2023, and June 2022 recommendations to the Legislature can be found at nj.gov/cannabis/resources/reports-stats-info. The Social Equity Excise Fee is allocated by the New Jersey Legislature through the state budget. While the NJ-CRC sets the annual fee rate and conducts public input sessions to guide its recommendations, the Legislature determines final appropriations for social equity initiatives.

Though the meetings are open to everyone, the NJ-CRC seeks ideas specific to North Jersey on on Thursday, January 15, 2025, Central Jersey on January 21, 2026, and South Jersey on January 29, 2026. The public can register to speak or submit a written comment by going to nj.gov/cannabis/meetings and looking for the Upcoming Hearings link under the “Public Hearings” tab.

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.