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

N.J. Lawmakers Mull Whether to Recriminalize Some Cannabis Sales, Purchases

Recently, New Jersey lawmakers deliberated a bill, sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari, that would criminalize the sale and purchase of unlicensed marijuana. Senator Scutari explained that the bill addresses unlicensed brick-and-mortar stores as well as drug dealers. Under the bill, operating an unlicensed marijuana business would be a third-degree crime and knowingly purchasing from one of these sellers would result in a disorderly persons offense. Proponents of the bill see it as corrective measure to the black market that has continued to operate after the legalizations of recreational cannabis in New Jersey. ...read more

Recriminalizing MJ Possession and Underground Legacy Crackdown NJ Senate Hearing Held

The New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee recently held a hearing on a bill aimed at recriminalizing the purchase, sale and possession of unlicensed marijuana. Heady NJ covered the hearing in the article “Recriminalizing MJ Possession and Underground Legacy Crackdown NJ Senate Hearing Held.” Committee members debated both sides of the proposed bill. NJ Senate President Nick Scutari emphasized the looming collapse of the cannabis market if the price disparity between the underground market and legal dispensaries continues. Senator Scutari exclaimed at the hearing, “It is time for us to put in writing that you cannot buy illegal products. You can’t sell it. You can’t do it without a license.” Opposingly, Senator Troy Singleton explained, “We’ve literally taken the free enterprise system out of the regulated market because we’ve limited the amount of competition to a large measure.” He emphasized that the collapse of the legal cannabis market may come from within due to the high pricing practices around the corporate aspect of the industry. ...read more

Cannabis Legalization Debated at MJ Unpacked Convention

In the article “Cannabis Legalization Debated at MJ Unpacked Convention,” Heady NJ wrote about the cannabis legalization debate that took place at the recent MJ Unpacked conference in Atlantic City. Cannabis industry experts gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding federal and state legalization. The conversation explored the regulatory landscape, political hurdles, and court rulings affecting the cannabis space. ...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

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

Cannabis Workshop

Partner Bill Caruso will serve as the moderator for the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey’s “Cannabis Workshop.” Joining Bill will be a panel of industry leaders, who will be discussing the current state of cannabis and its future. ...read more