John SchroyerMore than $6 million in cannabis tax revenue collected by New Jersey since 2022 for the purpose of funding limited reparations from the war on drugs had not been used as of August, and it’s not yet clear when or if it’ll be used.
The state Cannabis Regulatory Commission just increased a regular fee on licensed marijuana growers to $2.50 per ounce of flower, more than double last year’s fee, to keep the program flush with cash, the New Jersey Monitor reported. But so far, none of the millions collected has actually been doled out to communities affected by marijuana prohibition.
The goal of the fund is to help pay for “economic development in communities hurt by marijuana prohibition, access to legal counsel for entrepreneurs and people leaving prison, and more grants for cannabis businesses,” the Monitor reported, citing CRC Chairwoman Dianna Houenou.
But actually disbursing the money is up to state lawmakers, who have to account for the money in the state budget, Houenou said. She added that the CRC has regularly submitted reports to the legislature for the past three years on how best to use the growing pile of money, however, it is powerless to actually award any money from the fund.
The 2025 legislative budget process won’t kick off until after Gov. Phil Murphy delivers his budget proposal, which is slated to happen Tuesday, so it’s still unclear when or if the money will actually be given to any New Jersey localities.
Legislative leaders and a spokesperson for the governor did not respond to the New Jersey Monitor or declined to comment on the $6 million fund.
