14. a. (1) The commission shall, within 18 months following the commission’s organization, and every three years thereafter, conduct a feasibility study concerning the potential for establishing a cannabis research and development permit type. In order to advance scientific and medical understanding concerning the potential uses of medical cannabis, and to ensure ongoing quality control in the collection of data and the aggregation of clinical, translational, and other research, the feasibility study shall assess the medical cannabis market and industry, current perspectives in the scientific and medical communities on medical cannabis, as well as those of other relevant disciplines, to determine the potential benefits of establishing a research and development permit type. Any cannabis research and development permit established by the commission shall be limited to advancing the use of cannabis as medicine, improving the lives of current registered qualifying patients as well as future patients who could derive therapeutic benefit from the use of cannabis, and furthering the knowledge of cannabis in the scientific and medical communities.

(2) The commission shall additionally assess the feasibility of securing State funding to support the award of a monetary grant in conjunction with the issuance of a cannabis research and development permit to a successful applicant, following a competitive application process, as well as assess potential future regulations to apply to any cannabis research and development permits that are supported by private investment.

(3) Each feasibility study conducted pursuant to this subsection shall include at least one public hearing, at which the commission shall receive testimony from interested members of the public.

(4) The commission shall submit a report of its findings and conclusions to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C. 52:14-19.1), to the Legislature, within 90 days following the conclusion of each feasibility study.

b. The requirement to complete a feasibility study pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall expire at such time as the commission establishes a cannabis research and development permit type and promulgates rules and regulations with regard to the permit pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.).

c. The commission may establish, by regulation, such additional permit types in connection with medical cannabis as the commission deems necessary and appropriate to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the State medical cannabis program and meet the needs of qualifying patients, health care practitioners, medical cannabis cultivators, medical cannabis manufacturers, medical cannabis dispensaries, and related entities. Such permits may include, but shall not be limited to, permits authorizing pharmacy practice sites licensed pursuant to P.L.2003, c.280 (C. 45:14-40 et seq.) to be authorized to dispense medical cannabis to qualifying patients and their designated and institutional caregivers.

L.2019, c.153, s.14.