Seed-To-Sale Support

We meet our clients wherever they are in their cannabis business journey, whether their enterprise is only in the conceptualization stage or already a fully mature operation. Whatever stage you are, we offer highly practical compliance guidance, and an extensive network of industry contacts. We operate with two goals in mind: keeping our clients’ businesses compliant, safe and secure, with applicable regulations, and actively contributing to their business success.

PorzioCS can assist with both of those goals for businesses at every point in the cannabis supply chain—from cultivators to manufacturers to testing labs to retailers—and at every stage of development.

P Pre-licensing In New Jersey, there are two types of cannabis licenses: "annual" and "conditional." Annual licenses require a full application process, site control, and municipal approvals. Alternatively, for businesses with diverse owners whose incomes do not exceed certain thresholds, these applicants may submit a standard “conditional” application. Conditional licenses are temporary and have a less rigorous application process, without site control or local approvals. They serve as a stepping stone to the industry, with the requirement to convert to an annual license later. Applicants can also apply as micro-businesses, social equity applicants, impact zone applicants, or diversely owned businesses. There are five license classes: cultivation, manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, and retail/bulk delivery. PorzioCS has extensive experience aiding clients in assembling and drafting their applications regardless of type, qualification, or class.

C Conversion Applicants who received a conditional license have four months (120 days) to pass certain hurdles to convert their conditional licenses into standard annual licenses. The documentation required at this stage is extensive, and, if not prepared properly, can result in deficiency notices that delay the path to operation. We assist clients with all requirements of the conversion, including regularly preparing the required documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety and security plans. We do all this with an intimate understanding of what state regulators are looking for in successful applications.

P Post-licensing After a cannabis business wins an annual or conditional license, there is much to consider. Annual license holders have one year to complete their buildout and submit to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) for a final site inspection, this license also must be renewed annually. On the other hand, conditional license holders have a narrow window to satisfy all the remaining requirements of a standard annual submission, which can seem like a daunting and impossible task. PorzioCS offers assistance to conditional license holders by helping them complete the remaining requirements for a standard annual submission. This includes extension requests, local approvals, and final site inspections, allowing them to convert their conditional license to an annual one, complete their buildout on time, and start conducting their business.

Ensuring the affordable and realistic safety and security of cannabis businesses is of utmost importance, as it not only protects the business and its assets, but also the consumers who use the products and the communities that host these businesses. By working with experienced compliance professionals like PorzioCS, businesses can navigate the regulatory landscape and establish compliant operations, ensuring safety and security for all involved. Compliance is an ongoing process, and businesses must remain vigilant to stay on top of regulatory changes and requirements. PorzioCS assists businesses in maintaining compliance over time by performing regular audits to ensure ongoing compliance. By doing so, businesses can mitigate risks, protect their assets, and continue to operate in compliance with the law. O Operating a Cannabis Business In the intensely regulated cannabis industry, compliance concerns do not end when businesses open their doors. New Jersey and other states regulate many aspects of operational cannabis businesses, including, for instance, nuanced rules relating to profit distributions, financing sources, and relationships with vendors.

Have a question? we are listening Contact us for any of your safety, security, investigative and compliance needs. (973) 889-4300 info@porziocs.com