News & Insights

Bill Caruso Discusses NJ CAN 2020 Campaign Efforts to Raise Awareness for NJ's Cannabis Legalization Vote this Fall

Bill Caurso, Managing Director of Archer Public Affairs, discussed with Cannabis Business Times, the campaign fight to raise awareness for the adult-use cannabis ballot question, in their recent article, "NJ CAN 2020 Enlists Help of New Jersey Governor in Campaign’s Efforts to Support State’s Cannabis Referendum". ...read more

Legal Pot Would Bring A LOT of Taxes to NJ, Supporters Say

Archer & Greiner's, William J. Caruso, Esq., recently weighed in on the legalization and regulation of marijuana in New Jersey. ...read more

New Jersey Department of Health Calls for Six New Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

On July 16, 2018, the New Jersey Department of Health, Division of Medicinal Marijuana issued a Request for Applications seeking up to six (6) new applicants to operate medicinal marijuana dispensaries, resulting in two new dispensaries in each of the existing regions (north, central and south). ...read more

Tristate Area Wastes No Time Getting a Piece of the Sports Betting Action

It has been less than a month since the United States Supreme Court paved the way for legalized sports gambling throughout the county.  In that short time, the states in the tristate area have moved quickly to seize the opportunity. ...read more

New Intoxicating Hemp Restrictions Bill Passes NJ Senate Committee

The New Jersey Senate Committee advanced S-4509, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz and Senate President Nick Scutari, establishing rules for intoxicating hemp products distinct from cannabis. The bill integrates these products into the adult-use cannabis market, bans online and vending machine sales, requires lab testing, and sets new excise taxes and licensing. ...read more

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). ...read more

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. ...read more

New Jersey Passes Bipartisan Bill Easing State’s Unfair Brewery Restrictions

Archer has successfully advocated for landmark legislation on behalf of New Jersey Brewers Association  ...read more

Bill Caruso Testified at Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on NJ Cannabis Implementation

Archer partner Bill Caruso testified as an invited guest for the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on NJ Cannabis implementation, held on June 23, 2023. Along with serving as Chair of Archer's Cannabis Practice, Bill is General Counsel for the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association (NJCBA), whose mission is to promote jobs and growth in a sustainable and responsible cannabis industry. The Senate Judiciary Committee held the hearing where industry leaders, experts, and social justice groups discussed issues related to the state's implementation of the recreational cannabis law, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission's approval process for cannabis licenses, and concerns with the lack of diversity in the cannabis marketplace. ...read more

Bill Caruso Appeared on NJ Spotlight News to Discuss the Unregulated THC Compound Delta-8

Bill Caruso recently appeared on NJTV's nightly news program NJ Spotlight News. Bill was interviewed as part of a news report discussing Delta-8, a THC compound, and why NJ lawmakers are hurrying to ban Delta-8 products. Delta-8 is unregulated and can be purchased at gas stations and convenience stores, prompting concerns about its accessibility to children. Delta-8 is a psychoactive chemical that can produce a high, but doesn’t give the same effects as cannabis products derived from Delta-9, which is regulated. ...read more

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. ...read more

The Second Act of Cannabis Event

Attorneys Bill Caruso and Douglas Diaz will be serving as panelists during the NJBIA half-day cannabis industry conference “The Second Act of Cannabis in the Garden State.” Conference attendees will explore real impacts to New Jersey businesses operating in the recreational cannabis marketplace. The event will focus on employer human resources challenges any business can face, including liabilities and risks, and will discuss how the cannabis industry may evolve under a new federal administration. During the conference, Bill, who is chair of Archer’s Cannabis Group, will serve as moderator for the  program “Cannabis Market Trends Impacting New Jersey Businesses.” Douglas, a member of Archer’s Labor & Employment Group, will be a panelist for the program “Balancing the Highs - Employee Policies and Workplace Practices in a Cannabis-Legal World.” ...read more

Regulatory Updates at the Federal and State Levels

Bill Caruso, who chairs Archer’s Cannabis group, will be presenting the program “Regulatory Updates at the Federal and State Levels” at MJ Unpacked, a 3-day cannabis-industry conference. Join Bill and other experts as they break down the impacts cannabis operators, owners and investors are facing under legislative and compliance developments. Discover the latest in key policy shifts, how state-level regulations are adapting to market demands and the ongoing regulatory challenges surrounding intoxicating hemp-derived products. ...read more