William J. Caruso

Partner

Overview

Bill serves as Chair of Archer’s Cannabis Group. Bill is one of the leading advocates and influencers for the cannabis industry, and served as an influential voice in New Jersey’s long battle to end cannabis prohibition. He is a co-founder of New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform, a group that laid the groundwork for the legalization movement. Bill was also a leader with the advocacy group, NJ CAN 2020, that spearheaded the November 2020 ballot initiative to legalize cannabis for personal use.

In his practice, Bill represents clients that are both veterans and new leaders in the medical and adult-use cannabis industries, including retailers, processors, growers and ancillary businesses. He provides guidance on marijuana-related business issues, including issues pertaining to strategic planning and transactions, banking and finance, taxation, labor and employment, land use and zoning, real estate, municipal law, and healthcare law.

Bill has a deep knowledge of New Jersey government and strong relationships with political and industry leaders in the state. Prior to joining Archer, Bill served nearly five years as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office in Trenton. He was responsible for developing and implementing the Assembly’s policy agenda, and, as top aide to the Speaker, served as lead staff negotiator on all policy matters and as liaison to the Governor’s office, Senate and state departments. He was responsible for daily management of approximately 30 policy research professionals and communications and administrative staff. During his tenure, Bill helped shepherd through numerous pieces of landmark legislation, including pension and health benefits reform.

Prior to taking the Assembly post, Bill served for more than 11 years as Chief of Staff for U.S. Rep. Andrews, a Camden County Democrat. In that position, Bill had responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the Congressman’s policy and public relations agenda, with specialization in economic development, education and defense policy. He was responsible for daily management of approximately 20 policy research professionals and communications and administrative staff in offices in New Jersey and Washington, D.C. Bill also served 11 years as Congressman Andrews’ Campaign Manager.

Bill served as Democratic legal and public relations advisor to the 2011 New Jersey Apportionment Commission, which was tasked with redrawing the lines of the state’s 40 legislative districts following the 2010 census.

Credentials

Education

Rutgers University School of Law, JD
Bucknell University, BA

Admissions

New Jersey

Offices

Voorhees, NJ

Areas of Focus

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Practice

Industries

Data Centers & Digital Infrastructure

News & Insights

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NJ Senate Committee Passes Bill to Go After Underground Legacy Operators, Reform CRC Rules

12.03.2025

In the News

NJ Senate Committee Passes Bill to Go After Underground Legacy Operators, Reform CRC Rules

The NJ Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced S 4847, a bill aimed at targeting unlicensed cannabis operators and reforming the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC). The bill gives the New Jersey State Police authority to crack down on illegal cannabis businesses, a move supported by Senator Paul Sarlo (D-36-Bergen)....

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09.05.2025

Speaking Engagements & Seminars

Mid-Atlantic Review

Chair of Archer’s Cannabis Group, Bill Caruso, will be presenting the program “Mid-Atlantic Review” at the 2025 New Jersey Cannabis Convention. The Mid-Atlantic is the country's hottest cannabis market with a balanced approach to market maturity, opportunity based in solid fundamentals like competitive real estate and population radiuses, and new adult use markets still emerging completely in PA and VA. Bill, along with a panel of industry experts will address how the Mid-Atlantic region is navigating the cannabis market. Panelists will discuss the emerging Pennsylvania and Virginia adult use markets, how Delaware is handling their entry into the market and a look ahead to more licensing rounds for entrepreneurs in Maryland....

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NJ Assembly Committee Considers Bill Shifting Intoxicating Hemp Regulation to Department of Agriculture

05.29.2025

In the News

NJ Assembly Committee Considers Bill Shifting Intoxicating Hemp Regulation to Department of Agriculture

A recent informational hearing held by the NJ Assembly Agriculture Committee focused on Bill A 5058, which proposes transferring the regulation of intoxicating hemp products from the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) to the Department of Agriculture. The bill, introduced by Assembly Committee Chair William Spearman and Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak, aims to create a regulated hemp market, including hemp-derived beverages, while also addressing concerns from the liquor industry about how these products should be regulated....

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