Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration has yet to announce whether the governor will reappoint a vocal critic of New Jersey’s weed industry to the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission, and the delay is raising concern from social justice groups.
Charles Barker’s term as a cannabis commissioner is up this month, and the Murphy administration this week declined to comment on what the governor plans to do. Barker could not be reached for comment.
The Cannabis Regulatory Commission was set up to oversee the state’s rollout of legal weed and is in charge of issuing state licenses to businesses that grow, sell and manufacture. The commission also determines testing compliance procedures for businesses.
Barker has often said the industry and state Legislature haven’t done enough to support those harmed most by the War on Drugs and has consistently voted against policies he believes benefit large cannabis companies too much. Last year, Barker said the future of New Jersey’s cannabis market needed to include home cultivation of cannabis, which is opposed by state Senate President Nick Scurari, D-Union.
Supporters who requested anonymity say they are concerned Barker will not be reappointed because of his outspoken nature. In addition, the NAACP this week released a statement backing him.
“His stance on social justice issues, criticism on the lack of licenses, and his concern in regards to ensuring that the tax revenue gets to the communities that were most harmed by the failed War on Drugs have been exemplary,” New Jersey NAACP President Richard Smith said. “We anticipate that the Governor and the State of New Jersey will do the right thing.”
The CRC has five commissioners who were appointed three years ago by the governor and legislative leaders. The other four include its chair, Dianna Houenou, Vice Chair Sam Delgado, Krista Nash and Maria Del Cid-Kosso.
Legislation dictates that the commissioners serve on staggered terms. Houenou, Nash and Delgado’s appointments expire in April 2026. Del-Cid Kosso’s term expires April 2025. Barker’s term is the shortest.
The positions are full time and the commissioners are prevented from other outside employment as a hedge against potential conflicts of interest. By law, Houenou’s position can go up to $141,000, and other members can be paid up to $125,000.
The governor can nominate new commissioners or seek to reappoint existing ones. Some of those nominations are subject to approval by the state Senate, including Barker’s.
It was civil rights organizations’ threat to sue the Murphy administration that led to Barker’s appointment three years ago.
The initial appointments to the commission did not include a Black man. The civil rights groups said they wanted Houenou, a Black woman, to stay on the commission, but wanted more diversity to represent those who were on the receiving end of the most cannabis arrests.
They said the state was violating a clause in the legal weed law requiring the commission hire someone from a state or national organization “with a stated mission of studying, advocating, or adjudicating against minority historical oppression, past and present discrimination, unemployment, poverty and income inequality, and other forms of social injustice or inequality.”
Civil rights organizations argued that Houenou didn’t meet the requirement because she was coming directly from the governor’s office.
Barker came with experience from U.S. Sen. Cory Booker’s office, but was also a member of the National Action Network, the civil rights organization founded by Rev. Al Sharpton.
“His is a much-needed voice on the commission, and I don’t think it is a reach to say that his voice and leadership contributed a great deal to the strides that have been made in terms of a commitment to social equity,” said Racquel Romans-Henry, Policy Director for Salvation and Social Justice.
Declining to reappoint Barker would be seen as a betrayal, said Rev. Steffie Bartley, a National Action Network regional director based in North Jersey. Bartley also served as a member of the Murphy administration’s Task Force for the Continued Transformation of Youth Justice.
“Because of his voicefulness, because he’s letting us know these things are happening — that’s why he’s there,” Bartley said.
The Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s next public meeting is slated for Thursday.
Jelani Gibson is a cannabis and politics reporter for NJ.com. He can be reached at jgibson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @jelanigibson1 and on LinkedIn.
