27. Personal Use Cannabis Handlers; Transportation and Delivery of Cannabis and Cannabis Items.

a. (1) An individual who performs work for or on behalf of a person who holds a license classified pursuant to section 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, or 26 of P.L.2021, c.16 (C.24:6I-37, C.24:6I-39, C.24:6I-40, C.24:6I-41, C.24:6I-42, or C. 24:6I-43) shall have a valid certification issued by the commission under this section if the individual participates in:

(a) the possession, securing, or selling of cannabis or cannabis items at the premises for which the license has been issued;

(b) the recording of the possession, securing, or selling of cannabis or cannabis items at the premises for which the license has been issued; or

(c) the transportation of cannabis or cannabis items between licensed cannabis establishments or testing facilities, or delivery of cannabis items to consumers.

(2) An individual who has a valid certification as a personal use cannabis handler issued under this section may also simultaneously have a valid certification as a medical cannabis handler issued under section 27 of P.L.2019, c.153 (C. 24:6I-20) to perform work for or on behalf of entities issued medical cannabis permits or licenses as described in subsection a. of that section.

b. A person who holds a license classified pursuant to section 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, or 26 of P.L.2021, c.16 (C.24:6I-37, C.24:6I-39, C.24:6I-40, C.24:6I-41, C.24:6I-42, or C. 24:6I-43) shall verify that an individual has a valid certification issued under this section before allowing the individual to perform any work described in this section for which the license has been issued pursuant to those sections.

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

d. (1) (a) The commission may require an individual applying for a certification under this section to successfully complete a course, made available by or through the commission, in which the individual receives training on: checking identification; detecting intoxication; handling cannabis and cannabis items; statutory and regulatory provisions relating to 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.

(b) The commission shall not require an individual to successfully complete the course more than once, except that the commission may adopt regulations directing continuing education training on a prescribed schedule.

(2) As part of a final order suspending a certification issued under this section, the commission may require a holder of a certification to successfully complete the course as a condition of lifting the suspension, and as part of a final order revoking a certification issued under this section the commission shall require an individual to successfully complete the course prior to applying for a new certification.

e. (1) Each individual applying for a certification under this section shall undergo a criminal history record background check. The commission is authorized to exchange fingerprint data with and receive criminal history record background information from the Division of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation consistent with the provisions of applicable State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. The Division of State Police shall forward criminal history record background information to the commission in a timely manner when requested pursuant to the provisions of this subsection.

(2) Each individual shall submit to being fingerprinted in accordance with applicable State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. No check of criminal history record background information shall be performed pursuant to this subsection unless the individual has furnished written consent to that check. Any individual who refuses to consent to, or cooperate in, the securing of a check of criminal history record background information shall not be considered for a certification. Each individual shall bear the cost for the criminal history record background check, including all costs of administering and processing the check.

(3) Upon receipt and review of the criminal history record background information from the Division of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the commission shall provide written notification to the individual of the qualification or disqualification for a certification. If the individual is disqualified because of a disqualifying conviction as set forth in subsection f. of this section, the conviction that constitutes the basis for the disqualification shall be identified in the written notice.

(4) The Division of State Police shall promptly notify the commission in the event that an individual who was the subject of a criminal history record background check conducted pursuant to this subsection is convicted of a crime in this State after the date the background check was performed. Upon receipt of that notification, the commission shall make a determination regarding the continued eligibility to hold a certification.

f. (1) (a) With respect to determining whether any conviction of an individual contained in the criminal history record background check should disqualify an applicant for a certification, the commission shall not take into consideration any conviction for a crime or offense that occurred prior to the effective date of P.L.2021, c.16 (C. 24:6I-31 et al.) involving a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog as set forth in paragraph (11) or (12) of subsection b., or subparagraph (b) of paragraph (10) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:35-5, or paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:35-10, or any similar indictable offense under federal law, this State’s law, or any other state’s law, or for any conviction under federal law for conduct involving cannabis or a cannabis item that is authorized by P.L.2021, c.16 (C. 24:6I-31 et al.). Additionally, the commission shall not take into consideration any other prior conviction, unless that conviction is for an indictable offense under federal law, other than a conviction for conduct involving cannabis or a cannabis item that is authorized by P.L.2021, c.16 (C. 24:6I-31 et al.), or under this State’s law, or any other state’s law that is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties for which certification is required, and not more than five years have passed since the date of that conviction, satisfactory completion of probation or parole, or release from incarceration, whichever is later. In determining which indictable offenses are substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties for which certification is required, the commission shall at least consider any conviction involving fraud, deceit, or embezzlement, and any conviction for N.J.S.2C:35-6, employing a minor in a drug distribution scheme, or similar indictable offense in this or another jurisdiction involving the use of a minor to dispense or distribute a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog;

(b) The commission may approve an applicant for a certification after conducting a thorough review of any previous conviction of a person that substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties for which certification is required that is contained in the criminal history record background information, and this review shall include examining the nature of the indictable offense, the circumstances at the time of committing the offense, and evidence of rehabilitation since conviction. If the commission determines that the reviewed conviction should not disqualify the applicant, the applicant may be approved so long as the applicant is otherwise qualified to be issued the certification.

g. The commission shall deny an application to any applicant who fails to provide information, documentation and assurances as required by P.L.2021, c.16 (C. 24:6I-31 et al.) or as requested by the commission, or who fails to reveal any material fact to qualification, or who supplies information which is untrue or misleading as to a material fact pertaining to the qualification criteria for certification.

h. The commission may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a certification if the individual who is applying for or who holds the certification: violates any provision of P.L.2021, c.16 (C. 24:6I-31 et al.) or any rule or regulation adopted under P.L.2021, c.16 (C. 24:6I-31 et al.); makes a false statement to the commission; or refuses to cooperate in any investigation by the commission.

i. A certification issued under this section is a personal privilege and permits work described under subsection a. of this section only for the individual who holds the certification.

j. In addition to the requirements for regulations set forth in paragraph (1) of subsection d. of section 6 of P.L.2021, c.16 (C. 24:6I-34) the commission shall promulgate regulations to allow for a cannabis retailer’s customer orders of cannabis items and related supplies to be delivered off-premises by a certified cannabis handler performing work for or on behalf of a cannabis retailer, as well as a certified cannabis handler employed by a cannabis delivery service providing courier services for consumer purchases of cannabis items and related supplies fulfilled by the cannabis retailer, and which regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following requirements:

(1) Deliveries shall be made only to a residence, including a temporary residence, in this State.

(2) Deliveries shall be made only to a legal consumer by a certified cannabis handler who is an employee of a cannabis retailer, cannabis delivery service, or an approved contractor vender for a cannabis retailer.

(3) Deliveries shall not be made to a residence located on land owned by the federal government or any residence on land or in a building leased by the federal government.

(4) Each delivery vehicle shall be staffed by a certified cannabis handler who is an employee of the cannabis retailer or cannabis delivery service who shall be at least 18 years of age, or use an approved contract vendor whose certified cannabis handler delivery employees shall be at least 18 years of age.

(5) All deliveries of cannabis items shall be made in person. A delivery of cannabis items shall not be made through the use of an unmanned vehicle.

(6) Each certified cannabis handler shall carry a cannabis employee, cannabis delivery service, or contract vendor identification card. The cannabis handler shall present the identification card upon request to State and local law enforcement, and State and local regulatory authorities and agencies.

(7) Each certified cannabis handler shall have access to a secure form of communication with the cannabis retailer or cannabis delivery service making a customer delivery of a purchase order fulfilled by the cannabis retailer, such as a cellular telephone, at all times that a delivery vehicle contains cannabis items.

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

(9) 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 cannabis items.

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

(11) A delivery vehicle shall contain a Global Positioning System (GPS) device for identifying the geographic location of the delivery vehicle. The device shall be either permanently or temporarily affixed to the delivery vehicle while the delivery vehicle is in operation, and the device shall remain active and in the possession of the certified cannabis handler at all times during delivery. At all times, the cannabis retailer or cannabis delivery service shall be able to identify the geographic location of all delivery vehicles that are making deliveries for the cannabis retailer, or for the cannabis delivery service making deliveries of costumer purchase orders fulfilled by the cannabis retailer, as the case may be, and shall provide that information to the commission upon request.

(12) Upon request, a cannabis retailer or cannabis delivery service shall provide the commission with information regarding any vehicles used for delivery, including the vehicle’s make, model, color, Vehicle Identification Number, license plate number, and vehicle registration.

(13) Each cannabis retailer, delivery service, or contract vendor of a cannabis retailer shall maintain current hired and non-owned automobile liability insurance sufficient to insure all vehicles used for delivery of cannabis in the amount of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence or accident.

(14) Each cannabis retailer and cannabis delivery service shall ensure that vehicles used to deliver cannabis items bear no markings that would either identify or indicate that the vehicle is used to deliver cannabis items.

(15) Each cannabis retailer and cannabis delivery service shall ensure that deliveries are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

(16) While making residential deliveries, a certified cannabis handler shall only travel from the cannabis retailer’s licensed premises, or as part of a cannabis delivery service or contract vendor deliveries, between multiple cannabis retailers, then to a residence for delivery; from one residential delivery to another residence for residential delivery; or from a residential delivery back to the cannabis retailer’s or cannabis delivery services’ licensed premises. A cannabis handler shall not deviate from the delivery path 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.

(17) The process of delivery begins when the certified cannabis handler leaves the cannabis retailer’s licensed premises with the customer’s purchase order of a cannabis item for delivery. The process of delivering ends when the cannabis handler returns to the cannabis retailer’s licensed premises, or delivery service’s or contract vendor’s premises, after delivering the cannabis item to the consumer.

(18) Each cannabis retailer and cannabis delivery service shall maintain a record of each cannabis item delivery in a delivery 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 name of the certified cannabis handler;

(c) The cannabis item delivered;

(d) The batch or lot number of the cannabis item; and

(e) The signature of the consumer who accepted delivery.

(19) A cannabis retailer or cannabis delivery service shall report any vehicle accidents, diversions, losses, or other reportable events that occur during delivery to the appropriate State and local authorities, including the commission.

k. Any cannabis or cannabis item may be transported or delivered, consistent with the requirements set forth in this section and regulations promulgated by the commission, to any location in the State. As set forth in section 33 of P.L.2021, c.16 (C. 24:6I-46), in no case may a municipality restrict the transportation or deliveries of cannabis items to consumers within that municipality by adoption of a municipal ordinance or any other measure, and any restriction to the contrary shall be deemed void and unenforceable.

l. 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 license or certificate issued pursuant to P.L.2021, c.16 (C. 24:6I-31 et al.), and is not a significantly involved person or other investor in any licensee, which may be used by cannabis retailers to receive, process, and fulfill orders by consumers, or used by consumers to request or schedule deliveries of cannabis items pursuant to subsection j. of this section.

L.2021, c.16, s.27.