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Public commenters press CRC on hemp‑derived ingredients, testing standards and market access
Summary
During public comment, growers and patient advocates urged the CRC to enforce licensing for hemp‑derived cannabinoids, strengthen testing and labeling standards after secret‑shopper findings, consider Metrc external transfers to open market access for hemp farmers, and schedule Columbia Care's expanded ATC application for Mays Landing.
Public speakers at the March 18, 2025, New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission meeting urged action on several market and consumer‑safety issues, including enforcement on hemp‑derived cannabinoids, more consistent testing and labeling, the adoption of Metrc external transfer functionality to allow hemp ingredients into the regulated market, and faster scheduling of an expanded ATC application for a Mays Landing dispensary.
Thomas Norcia of GrowWorks and the New Jersey Hemp Growers Association told commissioners: "You guys are letting manufacturers bringing in hemp, hemp derived cannabinoids as ingredients without a license" and said the commission should require manufacturers to obtain appropriate licensing through the Department of Agriculture. Norcia told the commission he will continue to press the issue until enforcement occurs.
Andrea Bridal, who said she conducted secret‑shopper testing across 25 pre‑roll samples from 17 licenses, reported finding "mislabeled products, potency inflation nearing 50% at points, and failing levels of microbial contamination in over a quarter of the pre roll samples," and urged the commission to follow through on testing changes and plans for a reference laboratory to ensure consistent safety and labeling standards.
Alan Truskoski of the Bridgeton Business Incubator recommended adopting Metrc's external transfer functionality (referenced as Metrc bulletin MB‑48) to let class‑2 manufacturers bring in tested hemp ingredients, a change he said would expand licensed market access for local hemp farmers while keeping products within New Jersey's testing and compliance infrastructure.
Kelly Rivera, senior counsel and vice president for Columbia Care New Jersey, asked the commission to place Columbia Care’s expanded ATC application for its Mays Landing/Hamilton Township dispensary on the April 3 agenda. Rivera said CRC staff had recommended approval in mid‑January but that the application had not yet been scheduled, and she requested prompt consideration to meet local demand.
A caller identified as Van Ryker urged the commission to intervene in bargaining negotiations with Cureleaf, alleging the operator "has not demonstrated good faith" in contract talks and asking the commission to enforce bargaining obligations referenced under the CREAM Act.
Dr. Duncan Markovich, founder of Betterways, voiced support for S1393 and for home‑grow rights, saying small operators and patient needs should be prioritized in licensing decisions.
Chair and staff acknowledged the comments; no immediate policy changes were announced during the meeting. The chair reminded the public that written comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. on March 19, 2025, via the CRC website and that the commission will meet again in a couple of weeks.
