18. a. Pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), the commissioner or, after the effective date of P.L.2019, c.153 (C. 24:6I-5.1 et al.), the commission, shall promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of P.L.2009, c.307 (C. 24:6I-1 et al.), in consultation with the Department of Law and Public Safety.

b. Notwithstanding any provision of P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.) to the contrary, the commissioner shall adopt, immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law and no later than the 90th day after the effective date of P.L.2009, c.307 (C. 24:6I-1 et al.), such regulations as the commissioner deems necessary to implement the provisions of P.L.2009, c.307 (C. 24:6I-1 et al.). Regulations adopted pursuant to this subsection shall be effective until the adoption of rules and regulations pursuant to subsection a. of this section and may be amended, adopted, or readopted by the commissioner in accordance with the requirements of P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.).

c. No later than 180 days after the effective date of P.L.2019, c.153 (C. 24:6I-5.1 et al.), the commission shall promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of P.L.2019, c.153 (C. 24:6I-5.1 et al.). Rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this subsection shall, at a minimum:

(1) Specify the number of new medical cannabis cultivator, medical cannabis manufacturer, and medical cannabis dispensary permits the commission will issue in the first year next following the effective date of P.L.2019, c.153 (C. 24:6I-5.1 et al.); and

(2) Establish recommended dosage guidelines for medical cannabis in each form available to qualifying patients that are equivalent to one ounce of medical cannabis in dried form. The commission shall periodically review and update the dosage guidelines as appropriate, including to establish dosage guidelines for new forms of medical cannabis that become available.

d. The commission may convene a task force comprised of individuals with expertise in matters pertaining to the medical cannabis industry to make recommendations to the commission concerning the content of rules and regulations adopted by the commission to implement the provisions of P.L.2009, c.307 (C. 24:6I-1 et al.) and P.L.2019, c.153 (C. 24:6I-5.1 et al.).

L.2009, c.307, s.18; amended 2019, c.153, s.23.