ACLU-NJ looks forward to working with regulators to ensure that legalization is true to its promise of social justice
The ACLU-NJ praised the racial and social justice strides made in the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s adoption of regulations for implementing legalization in the state, issued Aug. 19, and called to build on that progress with additional measures to make the cannabis industry more equitable and inclusive.
“Signing legalization into law was only the first step in beginning to repair the injustices of marijuana enforcement, and implementation can only succeed with a laser focus on equity and racial justice. The first set of regulations adopted by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission makes important strides forward, especially the creation of an equity program that prioritizes people most harmed by prohibition and reasonable fees for license applications," said ACLU-NJ Campaign Strategist Ami Kachalia. “We urge the CRC to build on these steps to ensure a more inclusive and diverse cannabis industry by providing additional resources for equity applicants, including access to capital, and guiding municipal officials to center equity and inclusivity at the local level. We look forward to working with the CRC and working together to ensure that legalization is true to its promise.”
The ACLU-NJ released a roadmap for racial and social justice in implementation with its Baseline Cannabis Justice Plan, released Aug. 18. Read the plan here.
