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CRC rescinds testing-guidance resolution; growers and industry urge clearer hemp rules, faster approvals and reconsideration of provisional badging
Summary
The commission unanimously rescinded Resolution 2025-312 to allow further review of revised testing guidance. Public commenters — hemp growers, law enforcement and trade groups — pressed for clearer cross-border hemp rules, quicker response times on short-term extensions, and reversal or further analysis of the decision to end provisional badging.
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission voted to rescind Resolution 2025-312, the resolution that had adopted revised testing guidance, and directed the product safety, packaging and labeling committee to take additional time to review the waiver and guidance before implementation.
Chairwoman Wenu opened the public comment period after the board recorded the rescission motion. Multiple speakers raised concerns tied to the rescinded guidance and broader regulatory uncertainty.
Thomas Nordsia of GrowWorks and the New Jersey Hemp Growers Association told the commission he has observed material crossing state lines and urged on-farm engagement by CRC staff and the Department of Agriculture to verify inputs and clones. "Just the fact that... your stuff coming in, I get used to you guys say the inputs... it's coming over state lines," he said, arguing that out-of-state distillates and clones require clearer handling and testing.
Chief Vincent Mann echoed growers' concerns and said manufacturers handling hemp without a hemp license were "breaking the law," urging CRC coordination with the Department of Agriculture and inspectors to resolve compliance gaps.
Lindsay Shaw, owner of Brighterside Canopy, asked the commission to reduce turnaround times for six-month extension requests — currently taking more than 20 days — to about five days, and to categorize site-plan modifications as 'minor' or 'major' with faster review for minor changes. "I really think 20 plus days really eats into that 6 month time," she said.
Todd Johnson, executive director of the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association, commended the board for rescinding the testing guidance and urged a delay in implementation to allow formal public comment and clearer stakeholder input. He said the guidance contains "numerous inconsistencies and ambiguities," warned that interim testing and shorter expiration periods could raise costs, and estimated the changes "will lead to an annual increase of up to $2,000,000 per operator." Johnson also argued that eliminating provisional badging could make hiring harder for people with non-disqualifying convictions and called for reconsideration.
Thomas Coutts of GrowDeHigh warned that a recommended increase in fees to $15 would have "vast consequences for cultivators," particularly microbusinesses, and recommended grandfathering existing licenses.
The commission explained the rescission was intended to give the product safety committee more time for review and to gather further context before implementing testing guidance. Commissioners recorded a unanimous vote in favor of rescinding Resolution 2025-312.
Speakers who did not get to present during the session were reminded they may submit written comments to the CRC website by 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 2. The board then proceeded to close public comment and adjourn.
