27. a. An individual who performs work for or on behalf of a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, or medical cannabis dispensary, issued a permit pursuant to section 7 of P.L.2009, c.307 (C. 24:6I-7), a clinical registrant issued a permit pursuant to section 13 of P.L.2019, c.153 (C. 24:6I-7.3), or a testing laboratory licensed pursuant to section 25 of P.L.2019, c.153 (C. 24:6I-18) shall hold a valid medical cannabis handler certification issued by the commission pursuant to this section if the individual participates in any activity involving obtaining, possessing, cultivating, processing, manufacturing, creating, testing, transporting, transferring, relocating, dispensing, or delivering medical cannabis.

b. An entity issued a permit pursuant to section 7 of P.L.2009, c.307 (C. 24:6I-7) or section 13 of P.L.2019, c.153 (C. 24:6I-7.3) or a license pursuant to section 25 of P.L.2019, c.153 (C. 24:6I-18) shall verify that, before allowing any individual to perform any work described in subsection a. of this section at the premises for which the permit has been issued, the individual holds a valid medical cannabis handler certification issued pursuant to this section.

c. The commission shall issue medical cannabis handler certifications to qualified applicants to perform work described in subsection a. of this section. The commission shall adopt rules and regulations establishing: the qualifications for performing work described in subsection a. of this section; the terms of a medical cannabis handler certification issued pursuant to this section; procedures for applying for and renewing a medical cannabis handler certification issued pursuant to this section; and reasonable application, issuance, and renewal fees for a medical cannabis handler certification issued pursuant to this section.

d. The commission may require an individual applying for a medical cannabis handler certification under this section to successfully complete a course, to be made available by or through the commission, in which the individual receives training on: verifying the registration status of patients, designated caregivers, and institutional caregivers; handling medical cannabis; statutory and regulatory provisions relating to medical cannabis; and any matter deemed necessary by the commission to protect the public health and safety. The commission or other provider may charge a reasonable fee for the course.

The commission shall not require an individual to successfully complete the course required pursuant to this subsection more than once, except that the commission may adopt regulations directing continuing education training on a prescribed schedule. The course may comprise part of the eight hours of training required for employees of medical cannabis cultivators, medical cannabis manufacturers, medical cannabis dispensaries, and clinical registrants pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection j. of section 7 of P.L.2009, c.307 (C. 24:6I-7).

As part of a final order suspending a medical cannabis handler certification issued pursuant to this section, the commission may require the holder of a medical cannabis handler certification to successfully complete the course described in this subsection as a condition of lifting the suspension; and as part of a final order revoking a medical cannabis handler certification issued pursuant to this section, the commission shall require an individual to successfully complete the course described in this subsection prior to applying for a new medical cannabis handler certification.

e. The commission shall deny an application to any applicant who fails to provide information, documentation, and assurances as required by P.L.2009, c.307 (C. 24:6I-1 et al.) or as requested by the commission, or who fails to reveal any fact material to qualification, or who supplies information which is untrue or misleading as to a material fact pertaining to the qualification criteria for medical cannabis handler certification.

f. The commission may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a medical cannabis handler certification if the individual who is applying for or who holds the certification: violates any provision of P.L.2009, c.307 (C. 24:6I-1 et al.) or any rule or regulation adopted by the commission; makes a false statement to the commission; or refuses to cooperate in any investigation by the commission.

g. A medical cannabis handler certification issued pursuant to this section is a personal privilege and permits work described in subsection a. of this section only for the individual who holds the certification.

h. The commission shall enact rules and regulations governing the transfer of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products between medical cannabis cultivators, medical cannabis manufacturers, medical cannabis dispensaries, clinical registrants, and testing laboratories, which regulations shall require, at a minimum:

(1) Transfer of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products shall be made directly to the medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, clinical registrant, or testing laboratory receiving the medical cannabis or medical cannabis product.

(2) Transfers shall be performed by a medical cannabis handler who is certified by the department to perform transfers and is at least 18 years of age. Transfers of medical cannabis may be performed by a medical cannabis handler who is an employee of the medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant providing or receiving the transfer or by an independent third party who has entered into a contract with a medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant to perform transfers of medical cannabis, which contract may provide for a one-time transfer of medical cannabis or for ongoing transfers of medical cannabis. A medical cannabis handler holding a transfer certification issued by the commission may simultaneously hold a delivery certification issued by the commission, subject to the requirements of paragraph (2) of subsection i. of this section.

(3) Medical cannabis shall not be transferred to an address located on land owned by the federal government or any address on land or in a building leased by the federal government.

(4) All transfers of medical cannabis shall be made in person. A transfer of medical cannabis shall not be made through the use of an unmanned vehicle.

(5) Each certified medical cannabis handler shall carry a copy of the individual’s medical cannabis handler certification card and transfer certification card when performing a transfer. The medical cannabis handler shall present the certification cards upon request to State and local law enforcement and to State and local regulatory authorities and agencies.

(6) Each certified medical cannabis handler engaged in a transfer of medical cannabis shall have access to a secure form of communication with the medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant that furnished the medical cannabis to the handler for transfer, such as a cellular telephone, at all times that the handler is in possession of medical cannabis for transfer.

(7) During transfer, the certified medical cannabis handler shall maintain a physical or electronic copy of the transfer order, and shall make it available upon request to State and local law enforcement and to State and local regulatory authorities and agencies.

(8) Vehicles used for the transfer of medical cannabis shall be equipped with a secure lockbox in a secured cargo area, which shall be used for the sanitary and secure transport of medical cannabis.

(9) A certified medical cannabis handler shall not leave medical cannabis in an unattended vehicle unless the vehicle is locked and equipped with an active vehicle alarm system.

(10) A transfer vehicle shall contain a Global Positioning System (GPS) device for identifying the geographic location of the vehicle. The device shall be either permanently or temporarily affixed to the vehicle while the vehicle is in operation, and the device shall remain active and in the possession of the certified medical cannabis handler at all times while the vehicle is being used for the transfer of medical cannabis. At all times, the medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant that furnished the medical cannabis to the handler for transfer shall be able to identify the geographic location of all vehicles that are making transfers for that entity and shall provide that information to the commission upon request.

(11) Each entity that employs a medical cannabis handler certified to perform transfers of medical cannabis shall provide the commission with current information concerning all vehicles utilized for medical cannabis transfers, including each vehicle’s make, model, color, Vehicle Identification Number, license plate number, and vehicle registration.

(12) Each medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, and clinical registrant that engages in, or contracts with an independent third party to perform, transfers of medical cannabis shall maintain current hired and non-owned automobile liability insurance sufficient to insure all transfer vehicles in the amount of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence or accident.

(13) Transfer vehicles shall bear no markings that would either identify or indicate that the vehicle is used to transport medical cannabis.

(14) All transfers of medical cannabis shall be completed in a timely and efficient manner.

(15) While performing transfers of medical cannabis, a certified medical cannabis handler shall only travel from the premises of the medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant furnishing the medical cannabis to the transfer address; from one transfer address to another transfer address; from a testing laboratory back to the medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, or clinical registrant that furnished the medical cannabis for testing purposes, or from a transfer address back to the premises of the medical cannabis handler’s employer. A medical cannabis handler shall not deviate from the route described in this paragraph, except in the event of emergency or as necessary for rest, fuel, or vehicle repair stops, or because road conditions make continued use of the route or operation of the vehicle unsafe, impossible, or impracticable.

(16) The process of transfer shall begin when the certified medical cannabis handler leaves the premises of the medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, clinical registrant, or testing laboratory with medical cannabis for transfer. The process of transferring medical cannabis ends when the medical cannabis handler returns to the premises of the medical cannabis handler’s employer after completing the transfer.

(17) Each medical cannabis handler performing transfers of medical cannabis shall maintain a record of each transfer in a log, which may be written or electronic. For each transfer, the log shall record:

(a) The date and time that the transfer began and ended;

(b) The handler’s name, medical cannabis handler certification number, and medical cannabis transfer certification number;

(c) The tracking number of the medical cannabis; and

(d) The signature and employee identification number of the employee accepting the transfer.

(18) A medical cannabis handler shall report any vehicle accidents, diversions, losses, or other reportable events that occur during transfer of medical cannabis to the appropriate State and local authorities, including the commission. A medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, medical cannabis dispensary, or clinical registrant furnishing medical cannabis for transfer or accepting the transfer of medical cannabis shall have no criminal liability for any vehicle accidents, diversions, losses, or other reportable events that occur during the transfer.

i. The commission shall enact rules and regulations governing the delivery of medical cannabis, including medical cannabis products, to a registered qualifying patient, designated caregiver, or institutional caregiver by a medical cannabis dispensary, which regulations shall require, at a minimum:

(1) Delivery of medical cannabis shall only be made to a registered qualifying patient at the patient’s home or secondary address, to the patient’s designated caregiver at the caregiver’s home address, or directly to the patient’s institutional caregiver at the health care facility where the patient is a current patient or resident; except that the commission shall establish a process for registered qualifying patients to request delivery directly to the patient at an alternate address in cases of need.

(2) Deliveries shall be performed by a medical cannabis handler who is certified by the department to perform deliveries and is at least 18 years of age. Deliveries may be performed by an employee of a medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant or by an independent third party who has entered into a contract with a medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant to perform deliveries of medical cannabis, which contract may provide for a one-time delivery or for ongoing deliveries of medical cannabis. A medical cannabis handler holding a delivery certification issued by the commission may simultaneously hold a transfer certification issued by the commission.

(3) Medical cannabis shall not be delivered to an address located on land owned by the federal government or any address on land or in a building leased by the federal government.

(4) All deliveries of medical cannabis shall be made in person. Delivery of medical cannabis shall not be made through the use of an unmanned vehicle.

(5) Each certified medical cannabis handler shall carry a copy of the individual’s medical cannabis handler certification card and delivery certification card when performing a delivery of medical cannabis. The medical cannabis handler shall present the certification cards upon request to State and local law enforcement and to State and local regulatory authorities and agencies.

(6) Each certified medical cannabis handler engaged in a delivery of medical cannabis shall have access to a secure form of communication with the medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant that furnished the medical cannabis to the handler for delivery, such as a cellular telephone, at all times that the handler is in possession of medical cannabis for delivery.

(7) During delivery, the certified medical cannabis handler shall maintain a physical or electronic copy of the delivery request, and shall make it available upon request to State and local law enforcement and to State and local regulatory authorities and agencies.

(8) Delivery vehicles shall be equipped with a secure lockbox in a secured cargo area, which shall be used for the sanitary and secure transport of medical cannabis.

(9) A certified medical cannabis handler shall not leave medical cannabis in an unattended vehicle unless the vehicle is locked and equipped with an active vehicle alarm system.

(10) A delivery vehicle shall contain a Global Positioning System (GPS) device for identifying the geographic location of the vehicle. The device shall be either permanently or temporarily affixed to the vehicle while the vehicle is in operation, and the device shall remain active and in the possession of the certified medical cannabis handler at all times during which the vehicle is engaged in the delivery of medical cannabis. At all times, the medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant that furnished the medical cannabis to the handler for delivery shall be able to identify the geographic location of all vehicles that are making deliveries for that entity and shall provide that information to the commission upon request.

(11) Each entity that employs a medical cannabis handler certified to deliver medical cannabis shall provide the commission with current information concerning all vehicles utilized for medical cannabis deliveries, including each vehicle’s make, model, color, Vehicle Identification Number, license plate number, and vehicle registration.

(12) A medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant furnishing medical cannabis to a medical cannabis handler for delivery shall maintain current hired and non-owned automobile liability insurance sufficient to insure all delivery vehicles in the amount of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence or accident.

(13) Delivery vehicles shall bear no markings that would either identify or indicate that the vehicle is used to transport medical cannabis.

(14) All deliveries of medical cannabis shall be completed in a timely and efficient manner.

(15) While performing deliveries of medical cannabis, a certified medical cannabis handler shall only travel from the premises of the medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant furnishing the medical cannabis to the delivery address; from one delivery address to another delivery address; or from a delivery address back to the premises of the medical cannabis handler’s employer. A medical cannabis handler shall not deviate from the route described in this paragraph, except in the event of emergency or as necessary for rest, fuel, or vehicle repair stops, or because road conditions make continued use of the route or operation of the vehicle unsafe, impossible, or impracticable.

(16) The process of delivery shall begin when the certified medical cannabis handler leaves the premises of the medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant with medical cannabis for delivery. The process of delivering medical cannabis ends when the medical cannabis handler returns to the premises of the medical cannabis handler’s employer after completing the delivery.

(17) Each medical cannabis handler performing deliveries of medical cannabis shall maintain a record of each delivery in a log, which may be written or electronic. For each delivery, the log shall record:

(a) The date and time that the delivery began and ended;

(b) The handler’s name, medical cannabis handler certification number, and medical cannabis delivery certification number;

(c) The tracking number of the medical cannabis; and

(d) The signature and registry number of the patient or caregiver who accepted delivery.

(18) A medical cannabis handler shall report any vehicle accidents, diversions, losses, or other reportable events that occur during delivery of medical cannabis to the appropriate State and local authorities, including the commission. A medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant furnishing medical cannabis for delivery shall have no criminal liability for any vehicle accidents, diversions, losses, or other reportable events that occur during delivery after such time as the dispensary or clinical registrant, as applicable, furnishes medical cannabis for delivery.

(19) A medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant shall be authorized to use any medical cannabis handler employed by the dispensary or clinical registrant or any independent third party medical cannabis handler that is not employed by a medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant for the purposes of delivering medical cannabis, and, subject to the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection, an independent third party medical cannabis handler possessing a delivery certification who is not employed by any medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant shall be authorized to provide medical cannabis transport services to any medical cannabis dispensary or clinical registrant.

j. Medical cannabis may be transferred or delivered, consistent with the requirements of subsections h. and i. of this section, respectively, to any location in the State. In no case may a municipality restrict transfers or deliveries of medical cannabis within that municipality by adoption of municipal ordinance or any other measure, and any restriction to the contrary shall be deemed void and unenforceable.

k. The commission may authorize the use of an Internet-based web service developed and maintained by an independent third party entity that does not hold any permit, license, or certificate issued pursuant to P.L.2009, c.307 (C. 24:6I-1 et al.), and is not a significantly involved person or other investor in any permit holder, which web service may be used by registered qualifying patients, designated caregivers, and institutional caregivers to request or schedule deliveries of medical cannabis pursuant to subsection i. of this section.

L.2019, c.153, s.27.