NJ Cannabis Retail Development Rules Revamped by State Court

New Jersey municipalities must spell out why they’re rejecting new cannabis stores so judges can scrutinize those decisions, a state appeals court ruled Tuesday.

To get a cannabis retailer license from the state, businesses must first get local buy-in through a city resolution of local support. Though local leaders get wide discretion to deny a resolution, they must make findings of fact so courts can verify the decision wasn’t arbitrary or unlawful, Superior Court Appellate Division Judge Lisa Perez Friscia said in the court’s unanimous published decision.

The law “offers no exemption for municipalities from providing in an adopted ...