New Jersey § 24:6i-7

§ 24:6i-7.

a. (1) The commission shall accept applications from entities for permits to operate

as medical cannabis cultivators, medical cannabis manufacturers, and medical cannabis

dispensaries. For the purposes of this section, the term “ permit ” shall be deemed to include a conditional permit issued pursuant to subsection d.

of section 11 of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-7.1 ) and any permit issued to a microbusiness pursuant to subsection e. of section 11

of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-7.1 ). (2)(a) For a period of 18 months after the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.): (i) no applicant may concurrently hold more than one permit issued by the commission

pursuant to this section, regardless of type; and (ii) there shall be no more than 28 active medical cannabis cultivator permits, including

medical cannabis cultivator permits deemed to be held by alternative treatment centers

issued a permit prior to the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) and medical cannabis cultivator permits deemed to be held by alternative

treatment centers issued a permit subsequent to the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) pursuant to an application submitted prior to the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.); provided that medical cannabis cultivator permits issued to microbusinesses

pursuant to subsection e. of section 11 of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-7.1 ) shall not count toward this limit. (b) Commencing 18 months after the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.), a permit holder shall be authorized to concurrently hold a medical cannabis

cultivator permit, a medical cannabis manufacturer permit, and a medical cannabis

dispensary permit, provided that no permit holder shall be authorized to concurrently

hold more than one permit of each type. The permit holder may submit an application for a permit of any type that the permit

holder does not currently hold prior to the expiration of the 18-month period described

in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, provided that no additional permit shall be

awarded to the permit holder during the 18-month period. (c)(i) The provisions of subparagraph (a) of this paragraph shall not apply to any

alternative treatment center that was issued a permit prior to the effective date

of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.), to any alternative treatment center that was issued a permit after the effective

date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) pursuant to an application submitted prior to the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.), to one of the four alternative treatment centers issued a permit pursuant

to an application submitted after the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) pursuant to a request for applications published in the New Jersey Register

prior to the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) that are expressly exempt from the provisions of subsubparagraph (i) of subparagraph

(a) of this paragraph, or to one of the three alternative treatment centers issued

a permit pursuant to section 11 of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-7.1 ) that are expressly exempt from the provisions of subsubparagraph (i) of subparagraph

(a) of this paragraph, which alternative treatment centers shall be deemed to concurrently

hold a medical cannabis cultivator permit, a medical cannabis manufacturer permit,

and a medical cannabis dispensary permit, and shall be authorized to engage in any

conduct authorized pursuant to those permits in relation to the cultivation, manufacturing,

and dispensing of medical cannabis. (ii) In addition, each of the alternative treatment centers described in subsubparagraph

(i) of this subparagraph, to which the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this paragraph

shall not apply, shall, upon the adoption of the initial rules and regulations by

the commission pursuant to subparagraph (a) of paragraph (1) of subsection d. of section

6 of P.L.2021, c. 16 ( C.24:6I-34 ), be deemed to either concurrently hold a Class 1 Cannabis Cultivator license, a

Class 2 Cannabis Manufacturer License, a Class 5 Cannabis Retailer license, plus an

additional Class 5 Cannabis Retailer license for each satellite dispensary authorized

and established by the alternative treatment center pursuant to subparagraph (d) of

this paragraph, and a Class 6 Cannabis Delivery license, or hold a Class 3 Cannabis

Wholesaler license, and may also be deemed to hold a Class 4 Cannabis Distributor

license. Any alternative treatment center deemed to hold one or more licenses as described

in this subsubparagraph may begin to operate as any authorized class of cannabis establishment,

or establishment and delivery service, or as a cannabis wholesaler and distributor,

upon receipt of written approval from the municipality in which the proposed establishment

or delivery service, or distributor is to be located and obtaining an initial license

or licenses, as applicable, issued by the commission pursuant to paragraph (3) of

subsection a. of section 33 of P.L.2021, c. 16 ( C.24:6I-46 ). (d)(i) No entity may be issued or concurrently hold more than one medical cannabis

cultivator permit, one medical cannabis manufacturer permit, or one medical cannabis

dispensary permit at one time, and no medical cannabis dispensary shall be authorized

to establish a satellite location on or after the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.), except that an alternative treatment center that was issued a permit prior

to the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) or that was issued a permit after the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) pursuant to an application submitted prior to the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) shall be authorized to maintain up to two satellite dispensaries, including

any satellite dispensary that was approved pursuant to an application submitted prior

to or within 18 months after the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.). The three alternative treatment centers issued permits pursuant to section 11 of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-7.1 ) that are expressly exempt from the provisions of subsubparagraph (i) of subparagraph

(a) of this paragraph shall be authorized to establish and maintain up to one satellite

dispensary location, provided that the satellite dispensary was approved pursuant

to an application submitted within 18 months after the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.). (ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsubparagraph (i) of this subparagraph, an

investor, investor group, or fund that provides significant financial or technical

assistance or the significant use of intellectual property, or a combination thereof,

to an applicant for a medical cannabis dispensary permit, which applicant has been

certified as a minority business pursuant to P.L.1986, c. 195 ( C.52:27H-21.18 et seq. ), a women's business pursuant to P.L.1986, c. 195 ( C.52:27H-21.18 et seq. ), or is a disabled-veterans' business, as defined in section 2 of P.L.2015, c. 116 ( C.52:32-31.2 ), may own up to a 35 percent interest in up to seven entities that have been issued

a medical cannabis dispensary permit, provided that each such medical cannabis dispensary

is a certified minority or women's business or a disabled-veterans' business, and

the terms of the agreement to provide significant financial or technical assistance

or the significant use of intellectual property, or a combination thereof, whether

provided in the form of equity, a loan, or otherwise, including interest rates, returns,

and fees, are commercially reasonable based on the terms generally provided to comparable

businesses. The terms of the agreement for the provision of significant financial or technical

assistance or the significant use of intellectual property, or a combination thereof,

may include performance, quality, and other requirements as a condition of providing

the financial or technical assistance or use of intellectual property. An applicant for a medical cannabis dispensary permit that has or will receive significant

financial or technical assistance or the significant use of intellectual property

under this subsubparagraph shall include with the permit application materials submitted

to the commission a copy of the agreement to provide significant financial or technical

assistance or significant use of intellectual property, or a combination thereof,

which agreement shall be subject to review by the commission as provided in subsection

f. of section 11 of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-7.1 ). An applicant for a medical cannabis dispensary permit that receives significant financial

or technical assistance or the significant use of intellectual property under this

subsubparagraph shall pay back to the investor, investor group, or fund the full value

of the financial or technical assistance or intellectual property provided under the

agreement, plus any applicable interest and fees, in a period not less than five years

after the date of the agreement if the full value of the assistance or property is

less than $100,000, in a period not less than seven years after the date of the agreement

if the full value of the assistance or property is between $100,001 and $250,000,

in a period not less than 10 years after the date of agreement if the full value of

the assistance or property is between $250,001 and $500,000, and, subject to any terms

and conditions imposed by a lender, in a period not less than 10 years after the date

of the agreement if the full value of the assistance or property is greater than $500,000. An investor, investor group, or fund that has acquired an ownership interest in

one or more entities that have been issued a medical cannabis dispensary permit as

authorized under this subsubparagraph may maintain the ownership interest after the

date the full value of the financial or technical assistance or use of intellectual

property provided under the agreement, plus interest and fees, has been repaid by

the applicant that received the assistance or use of intellectual property. In no case may the controlling interest in the entity that holds a medical cannabis

dispensary permit in which an investor, investor group, or fund owns an interest as

authorized under this subsubparagraph revert to the investor, investor group, or fund

in the event of a default or failure by the certified minority or women's business

or disabled-veterans' business, as applicable, and any such controlling interest may

only be transferred to a certified minority or women's business or a disabled-veterans'

business. An entity issued a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, or

medical cannabis dispensary permit, or an individual associated with the ownership

or management of such entity, may invest in or participate in an investor group or a fund that meets the requirements of this subsubparagraph with respect to a Class 5 cannabis retailer license or an alternative treatment center

permit . (e) No entity issued a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer,

or medical cannabis dispensary permit may concurrently hold a clinical registrant

permit issued pursuant to section 13 of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-7.3 ), and no entity issued a clinical registrant permit pursuant to section 13 of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-7.3 ) may concurrently hold a medical cannabis cultivator permit, a medical cannabis manufacturer

permit, or a medical cannabis dispensary permit. (f) Any medical cannabis dispensary permit holder may be approved by the commission

to operate a cannabis consumption area, provided that the permit holder otherwise

meets the requirements of section 28 of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-21 ). (g) An alternative treatment center that was issued a permit prior to the effective

date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.), that was issued a permit after the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) pursuant to an application submitted pursuant to a request for applications

published in the New Jersey Register prior to the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.), or that was issued a permit after the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) pursuant to an application submitted prior to the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.), shall be required to submit an attestation signed by a bona fide labor organization

stating that the alternative treatment center has entered into a labor peace agreement

with such bona fide labor organization no later than 100 days after the effective

date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) or no later than 100 days after the date the alternative treatment center

first opens, whichever date is later. The maintenance of a labor peace agreement with a bona fide labor organization shall

be an ongoing material condition of maintaining the alternative treatment center's

permit. The failure to submit an attestation as required pursuant to this subparagraph within

100 days after the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) or within 100 days after the alternative treatment center first opens, as

applicable, shall result in the suspension or revocation of the alternative treatment

center's permit, provided that the commission may grant an extension to this deadline

to the alternative treatment center based upon extenuating circumstances or for good

cause shown. As used in this subparagraph, “ bona fide labor organization ” means a labor organization of any kind or employee representation committee, group,

or association, in which employees participate and which exists and is constituted

for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining or otherwise dealing

with medical or personal use cannabis employers concerning grievances, labor disputes,

terms or conditions of employment, including wages and rates of pay, or other mutual

aid or protection in connection with employment, and may be characterized by: it

being a party to one or more executed collective bargaining agreements with medical

or personal use cannabis employers, in this State or another state; it having a written

constitution or bylaws in the three immediately preceding years; it filing the annual

financial report required of labor organizations pursuant to subsection (b) of 29 U.S.C. s.431 , or it having at least one audited financial report in the three immediately preceding

years; it being affiliated with any regional or national association of unions, including

but not limited to state and federal labor councils; or it being a member of a national

labor organization that has at least 500 general members in a majority of the 50 states

of the United States. (h) An alternative treatment center that was issued a permit prior to the effective

date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.), that was issued a permit after the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) pursuant to an application submitted pursuant to a request for applications

published in the New Jersey Register prior to the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.), or that was issued a permit after the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) pursuant to an application submitted prior to the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.), shall be permitted to cultivate from up to two physical locations, provided

that the alternative treatment center's combined mature cannabis plant grow canopy

between both locations shall not exceed 150,000 square feet of bloom space or the

square footage of canopy permitted under the largest tier in the tiered system adopted

by the commission pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection b. of section 21 of P.L.2021, c. 16 ( C.24:6I-38 ). (3) The commission shall seek to ensure the availability of a sufficient number of

medical cannabis cultivators, medical cannabis manufacturers, and medical cannabis

dispensaries throughout the State, pursuant to need, including at least two each in

the northern, central, and southern regions of the State. Medical cannabis cultivators, medical cannabis manufacturers, and medical cannabis

dispensaries issued permits pursuant to this section may be nonprofit or for-profit

entities. (4) The commission shall periodically evaluate whether the number of medical cannabis

cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, and medical cannabis dispensary permits

issued are sufficient to meet the needs of qualifying patients in the State, and shall

accept new applications and issue such additional permits as shall be necessary to

meet those needs. The types of permits requested and issued, and the locations of any additional permits

that are authorized, shall be in the discretion of the commission based on the needs

of qualifying patients in the State. (5)(a) A medical cannabis cultivator shall be authorized to: acquire a reasonable

initial and ongoing inventory, as determined by the commission, of cannabis seeds

or seedlings and paraphernalia; possess, cultivate, plant, grow, harvest, and package

medical cannabis, including prerolled forms, for any authorized purpose, including,

but not limited to, research purposes; and deliver, transfer, transport, distribute,

supply, or sell medical cannabis and related supplies to any medical cannabis cultivator,

medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant

in the State. In no case shall a medical cannabis cultivator operate or be located on land that

is valued, assessed or taxed as an agricultural or horticultural use pursuant to the

“Farmland Assessment Act of 1964,” P.L.1964, c. 48 ( C.54:4-23.1 et seq. ). (b) A medical cannabis manufacturer shall be authorized to: purchase or acquire medical

cannabis from any medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, or clinical

registrant in the State; possess and utilize medical cannabis in the manufacture

and creation of medical cannabis products; and deliver, transfer, transport, supply,

or sell medical cannabis products and related supplies to any medical cannabis manufacturer,

medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant in the State. (c) A medical cannabis dispensary shall be authorized to: purchase or acquire medical

cannabis from any medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical

registrant in the State and medical cannabis products and related supplies from any

medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant

in the State; purchase or acquire paraphernalia from any legal source; and distribute,

supply, sell, or dispense medical cannabis, medical cannabis products, paraphernalia,

and related supplies to qualifying patients or their designated or institutional caregivers

who are registered with the commission pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2009, c. 307 ( C.24:6I-4 ). A medical cannabis dispensary may furnish medical cannabis, medical cannabis products,

paraphernalia, and related supplies to a medical cannabis handler for delivery to

a registered qualifying patient, designated caregiver, or institutional caregiver

consistent with the requirements of subsection i. of section 27 of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-20 ). (6) A medical cannabis cultivator shall not be limited in the number of strains of

medical cannabis cultivated, and a medical cannabis manufacturer shall not be limited

in the number or type of medical cannabis products manufactured or created. A medical cannabis manufacturer may package, and a medical cannabis dispensary may

directly dispense medical cannabis and medical cannabis products to qualifying patients

and their designated and institutional caregivers in any authorized form. Authorized forms shall include dried form, oral lozenges, topical formulations,

transdermal form, sublingual form, tincture form, or edible form, or any other form

as authorized by the commission. Edible form shall include pills, tablets, capsules, drops or syrups, oils, chewable

forms, and any other form as authorized by the commission, except that the edible

forms made available to minor patients shall be limited to forms that are medically

appropriate for children, including pills, tablets, capsules, chewable forms, and

drops, oils, syrups, and other liquids. (7) Nonprofit medical cannabis cultivators, medical cannabis manufacturers, and medical

cannabis dispensaries need not be recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization by the federal

Internal Revenue Service. b. The commission shall require that an applicant provide such information as the

commission determines to be necessary pursuant to regulations adopted pursuant to P.L.2009, c. 307 ( C.24:6I-1 et al.). c. A person who has been convicted of a crime of the first, second, or third degree

under New Jersey law or of a crime involving any controlled dangerous substance or

controlled substance analog as set forth in chapter 35 of Title 2C of the New Jersey

Statutes except paragraph (11) or (12) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:35-5 , or paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:35-10 , or any similar law of the United States or any other state shall not be issued a

permit to operate as a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer,

medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant or be a director, officer, or

employee of a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical

cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant, unless such conviction occurred after

the effective date of P.L.2009, c. 307 ( C.24:6I-1 et al.) and was for a violation of federal law relating to possession or sale of

cannabis for conduct that is authorized under P.L.2009, c. 307 ( C.24:6I-1 et al.) or P.L.2015, c. 158 ( C.18A:40-12.22 et al.). d. (1) The commission shall require each applicant seeking a permit to operate as,

to be a director, officer, or employee of, or to be a significantly involved person

in, a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis

dispensary, or clinical registrant to undergo a criminal history record background

check. Any individual seeking to become a director, officer, or employee of a medical cannabis

cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical

registrant, after issuance of an initial permit shall notify the commission and shall

complete a criminal history record background check and provide all information as

may be required by the commission as a condition of assuming a position as director,

officer, or employee of the permitted entity. An individual who secures an investment interest or gains the authority to make

controlling decisions in a permitted entity that makes the individual a significantly

involved person shall notify the commission, complete a criminal history record background

check, and provide all information as may be required by the commission no later than

30 days after the date the individual becomes a significantly involved person, or

any permit issued to the individual or group of which the significantly involved person

is a member shall be revoked and the individual or group shall be deemed ineligible

to hold any ownership or investment interest in a medical cannabis cultivator, medical

cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant for a period

of at least two years, commencing from the date of revocation, and for such additional

period of time as the commission deems appropriate, based on the duration of the nondisclosure,

the size of the individual's or group's investment interest in the permitted entity,

the amount of profits, revenue, or income realized by the individual or group from

the permitted entity during the period of nondisclosure, and whether the individual

had a disqualifying conviction or would otherwise have been deemed ineligible to be

a significantly involved person in a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis

manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant. For purposes of this section, the term “ applicant ” shall include any owner, director, officer, or employee of, and any significantly

involved person in, a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer,

medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant. The commission is authorized to exchange fingerprint data with and receive criminal

history record background information from the Division of State Police and the Federal

Bureau of Investigation consistent with the provisions of applicable State and federal

laws, rules, and regulations. The Division of State Police shall forward criminal history record background information

to the commission in a timely manner when requested pursuant to the provisions of

this section. An applicant who is required to undergo a criminal history record background check

pursuant to this section shall submit to being fingerprinted in accordance with applicable

State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. No check of criminal history record background information shall be performed pursuant

to this section unless the applicant has furnished the applicant's written consent

to that check. An applicant who is required to undergo a criminal history record background check

pursuant to this section who refuses to consent to, or cooperate in, the securing

of a check of criminal history record background information shall not be considered

for a permit to operate, or authorization to be employed at or to be a significantly

involved person in, a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer,

medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant. An applicant shall bear the cost for the criminal history record background check,

including all costs of administering and processing the check. (2) The commission shall not approve an applicant for a permit to operate, or authorization

to be employed at or to be a significantly involved person in, a medical cannabis

cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical

registrant if the criminal history record background information of the applicant

reveals a disqualifying conviction as set forth in subsection c. of this section. (3) Upon receipt of the criminal history record background information from the Division

of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the commission shall provide

written notification to the applicant of the applicant's qualification or disqualification

for a permit to operate or be a director, officer, or employee of, or a significantly

involved person in, a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer,

medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant. If the applicant is disqualified because of a disqualifying conviction pursuant to

the provisions of this section, the conviction that constitutes the basis for the

disqualification shall be identified in the written notice. (4) The Division of State Police shall promptly notify the commission in the event

that an individual who was the subject of a criminal history record background check

conducted pursuant to this section is convicted of a crime or offense in this State

after the date the background check was performed. Upon receipt of that notification, the commission shall make a determination regarding

the continued eligibility to operate or be a director, officer, or employee of, or

a significantly involved person in, a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis

manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant. (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection c. of this section to the contrary,

the commission may offer provisional authority for an applicant to be an owner, director,

officer, or employee of, or a significantly involved person in, a medical cannabis

cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical

registrant for a period not to exceed three months if the applicant submits to the

commission a sworn statement attesting that the person has not been convicted of any

disqualifying conviction pursuant to this section. (6) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection c. of this section to the contrary,

no applicant to be an owner, director, officer, or employee of, or a significantly

involved person in, a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer,

medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant shall be disqualified on the basis

of any conviction disclosed by a criminal history record background check conducted

pursuant to this section if the individual has affirmatively demonstrated to the commission

clear and convincing evidence of rehabilitation. In determining whether clear and convincing evidence of rehabilitation has been

demonstrated, the following factors shall be considered: (a) the nature and responsibility of the position which the convicted individual would

hold, has held, or currently holds; (b) the nature and seriousness of the crime or offense; (c) the circumstances under which the crime or offense occurred; (d) the date of the crime or offense; (e) the age of the individual when the crime or offense was committed; (f) whether the crime or offense was an isolated or repeated incident; (g) any social conditions which may have contributed to the commission of the crime

or offense; and (h) any evidence of rehabilitation, including good conduct in prison or in the community,

counseling or psychiatric treatment received, acquisition of additional academic or

vocational schooling, successful participation in correctional work-release programs,

or the recommendation of those who have had the individual under their supervision. e. The commission shall issue a permit to operate or be an owner, director, officer,

or employee of, or a significantly involved person in, a medical cannabis cultivator,

medical cannabis manufacturer, or medical cannabis dispensary if the commission finds

that issuing such a permit would be consistent with the purposes of P.L.2009, c. 307 ( C.24:6I-1 et al.) and the requirements of this section and section 11 of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-7.1 ) are met. The denial of an application shall be considered a final agency decision, subject

to review by the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. A permit to operate a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer,

or medical cannabis dispensary issued on or after the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.) shall be valid for one year and shall be renewable annually. f. A person who has been issued a permit pursuant to this section or a clinical registrant

permit pursuant to section 13 of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-7.3 ) shall display the permit at the front entrance to the premises of the permitted

facility at all times when the facility is engaged in conduct authorized pursuant

to P.L.2009, c. 307 ( C.24:6I-1 et al.) involving medical cannabis, including, but not limited to, the cultivating,

manufacturing, or dispensing of medical cannabis. g. A medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis

dispensary, or clinical registrant shall report any change in information to the commission

not later than 10 days after such change, or the permit shall be deemed null and void. h. Each medical cannabis dispensary and clinical registrant shall maintain and make

available on its Internet website, if any, a standard price list that shall apply

to all medical cannabis, medical cannabis products, and related supplies and paraphernalia

sold or dispensed by the medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant, which

prices shall be reasonable and consistent with the actual costs incurred by the medical

cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant in connection with acquiring and selling,

transferring, or dispensing the medical cannabis or medical cannabis product and related

supplies and paraphernalia. The prices charged by the medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant shall

not deviate from the prices indicated on the entity's current price list, provided

that a price list maintained by a medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant

may allow for medical cannabis to be made available at a reduced price or without

charge to qualifying patients who have a demonstrated financial hardship, as that

term shall be defined by the commission by regulation. A price list required pursuant to this subsection may be revised no more than once

per month, and each medical cannabis dispensary and clinical registrant shall be responsible

for ensuring that the commission has a copy of the facility's current price list. A medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant shall be liable to a civil

penalty of $1,000 for each sale that occurs at a price that deviates from the entity's

current price list, and to a civil penalty of $10,000 for each week during which the

entity's current price list is not on file with the commission. Any civil penalties collected by the commission pursuant to this section shall be

deposited in the “Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization

Fund” established under section 41 of P.L.2021, c. 16 ( C.24:6I-50 ), and used by the commission for the purposes of administering the State medical

cannabis program. i. The commission shall adopt regulations to: (1) require such written documentation of each delivery or dispensation of cannabis

to, and pickup of cannabis for, a registered qualifying patient, including the date

and amount dispensed, and, in the case of delivery, the date and times the delivery

commenced and was completed, the address where the medical cannabis was delivered,

the name of the patient or caregiver to whom the medical cannabis was delivered, and

the name, handler certification number, and delivery certification number of the medical

cannabis handler who performed the delivery, to be maintained in the records of the

medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant, as the commission determines necessary

to ensure effective documentation of the operations of each medical cannabis dispensary

or clinical registrant; (2) monitor, oversee, and investigate all activities performed by medical cannabis

cultivators, medical cannabis manufacturers, medical cannabis dispensaries, and clinical

registrants; (3) ensure adequate security of all facilities 24 hours per day and security of all

delivery methods to registered qualifying patients; and (4) establish thresholds for administrative action to be taken against a medical cannabis

cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical

registrant and its employees, officers, investors, directors, or governing board pursuant

to subsection m. of this section, including, but not limited to, specific penalties

or disciplinary actions that may be imposed in a summary proceeding. j. (1) Each medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis

dispensary, and clinical registrant shall require the owners, directors, officers,

and employees at the permitted facility to complete at least eight hours of ongoing

training each calendar year. The training shall be tailored to the roles and responsibilities of the individual's

job function, and shall include training on confidentiality and such other topics

as shall be required by the commission. (2) Each medical cannabis dispensary and clinical registrant shall consider whether

to make interpreter services available to the population served, including for individuals

with a visual or hearing impairment. The commission shall provide assistance to any medical cannabis dispensary or clinical

registrant that seeks to provide such services in locating appropriate interpreter

resources. A medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant shall assume the cost of providing

interpreter services pursuant to this subsection. k. (1) The first six alternative treatment centers issued permits following the effective

date of P.L.2009, c. 307 ( C.24:6I-1 et al.) shall be authorized to sell or transfer such permit and other assets to a

for-profit entity, provided that: the sale or transfer is approved by the commission;

each owner, director, officer, and employee of, and significantly involved person

in, the entity seeking to purchase or receive the transfer of the permit, undergoes

a criminal history record background check pursuant to subsection d. of this section,

provided that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require any individual

to undergo a criminal history record background check if the individual would otherwise

be exempt from undergoing a criminal history record background check pursuant to subsection

d. of this section; the commission finds that the sale or transfer of the permit

would be consistent with the purposes of P.L.2009, c. 307 ( C.24:6I-1 et al.); and no such sale or transfer shall be authorized more than one year after

the effective date of P.L.2019, c. 153 ( C.24:6I-5.1 et al.). The sale or transfer of a permit pursuant to this subsection shall not be subject

to the requirements of the “New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation Act,” N.J.S.15A:1-1 et seq. , provided that, prior to or at the time of the sale or transfer, all debts and obligations

of the nonprofit entity are either paid in full or assumed by the for-profit entity

purchasing or acquiring the permit, or a reserve fund is established for the purpose

of paying in full the debts and obligations of the nonprofit entity, and the for-profit

entity pays the full value of all assets held by the nonprofit entity, as reflected

on the nonprofit entity's balance sheet, in addition to the agreed-upon price for

the sale or transfer of the entity's alternative treatment center permit. Until such time as the members of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission are appointed

and the commission first organizes, the Department of Health shall have full authority

to approve a sale or transfer pursuant to this paragraph. (2) The sale or transfer of any interest of five percent or more in a medical cannabis

cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical

registrant permit shall be subject to approval by the commission and conditioned on

the entity that is purchasing or receiving transfer of the interest in the medical

cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or

clinical registrant permit completing a criminal history record background check pursuant

to the requirements of subsection d. of this section. l . No employee of any department, division, agency, board, or other State, county,

or local government entity involved in the process of reviewing, processing, or making

determinations with regard to medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer,

medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant permit applications shall have

any direct or indirect financial interest in the cultivating, manufacturing, or dispensing

of medical cannabis or related paraphernalia, or otherwise receive anything of value

from an applicant for a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer,

medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant permit in exchange for reviewing,

processing, or making any recommendations with respect to a permit application. m. In the event that a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer,

medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant fails to comply with any requirements

set forth in P.L.2009, c. 307 ( C.24:6I-1 et al.) or any related law or regulation, the commission may invoke penalties or

take administrative action against the medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis

manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant and its employees,

officers, investors, directors, or governing board, including, but not limited to,

assessing fines, referring matters to another State agency, and suspending or terminating

any permit held by the medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer,

medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant. Any penalties imposed or administrative actions taken by the commission pursuant

to this subsection may be imposed in a summary proceeding.