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♪ From NJ PBS this is NJ spotlight news.

>> Happy can a verse or it's been one year since New Jersey welcomed its first legal recreational cannabis sales.

Pot dispensaries got the green light to people 21 and alter kicking off in your industry in the state New Jerseyans spent almost $2 million on recreational weed on the first day they could buy it.

There are twice as many dispensaries that sell recreational cannabis, 25 as of Thursday.

All of them were medical dispensaries first.

One year in, there are no recreational only sites in the state.

There are no recreational cannabis dispensaries owned by women or black residents.

These challenges have in turn resulted in one lawmaker calling to disband the commission that is overseen cannabis regulations in the state.

They cannabis regulatory commission says it has done good work awarding more than 1000 licenses.

Challenges come at a local level where councils and committees have the final say over where businesses can go and who gets selected for coveted approval.

Could all this redtape be undermining social equity in the Stoner industry?

And where does the industry stand and where is it going in year two?

>> Honestly, it's amazing.

It's like a roller coaster since we turned recreational.

>> General manager of Stanley Elizabeth hopes it doesn't slow down anytime soon.

The dispensary was one of 12 opening its doors for recreational cells and since then sales have been nonstop.

>> They are always getting new people and know that the weather is getting better we will get all the people flying and because we get all the airport traffic rated it's consistent.

>> There are 25 dispensaries selling cannabis across the state.

All of them were initially medical dispensaries before the regulatory commission approved expansion into the adult use market.

A concern for some since social equity applicants and those impacted by the criminalization of marijuana, are supposed to be prioritized.

If >> I think there was a built-in disadvantage by giving the medical operators the first mover advantage.

Those entities were almost 100% white.

Therefore, that built in equity to the way it was ruled out.

Even with the pieces that were built into the law, I think it remains to be seen.

>> And other, funding.

The state economic development Authority is offering grants of $250,000 to help cover the cost of legal fees and other expenses related to getting into the cannabis industry.

Founder of the legal firm blaze responsibly says more funding is needed especially when it comes to securing a location.

>> The bulk of 70% plus towns have opted out so real estate is limited.

Zoning makes it restrictive.

You can't afford these hefty deposits.

>> Experts predicted could be a billion-dollar industry in the next two years.

The date more than 1100 licenses have been awarded the Senator believes the states cannot -- cannabis commission isn't doing enough.

He criticizes the renewing of the license of Curaleaf Just days after the application.

>> Holding an emergency meeting for a corporation that's violating collective bargaining rights and have got countless small businesses throughout my district in the state that are waiting to get on an agenda with no clarity.

Something is not working.

>> He plans to introduce legislation that would take control of the industry from the CRC placing it into seed -- instead into the Department of treasury.

>> I have towns reaching out to me and the CRC is not working with them.

They are not providing clarity and they go ahead and cancel their main meeting to catch up on paperwork.

>> I can't comment on pending adjust lesion but what I can say is that in two years that the regulatory commission has been operational we have done tremendous work.

We have set up a brand-new state agency from scratch.

And we tripled the number of medical dispensaries that are open to patients and we started opening up the adult use market to recreational consumers.

All while doing so with intention, with the public at our side.

>> Advocates say they are happy to see how far the cannabis industry has come and they hope more small businesses will be able to open their doors for recreational sales as well.

I'm Melissa Rose Cooper.

>> We continue our reporting on the status of legalized weed one year later.

David Cruz talks with State Senator about why he is calling for the end of the cannabis regulatory commission Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and the state of the cannabis industry.

That is six 30 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning both right here on NJ PBS.

>> Federal lawmakers are pushing legislation to overhaul the nation's immigrant detention policies.

Cory Booker along with two House Democrats have reintroduced the dignity for detained immigrants act.

Individuals awaiting deportation hearings and an the for-profit detention centers to house ice detainees.

As well as increased oversight to improve conditions and prevent abuse.

The Elizabeth detention center is the last facility that still has a contract with ICE to house detainees.

The contract ends in August.

New emigration overhaul plans, Bob Menendez has introduced several bills to overhaul the immigration policies but he's taking this plan directly to the White House in the hopes of starting change within the Biden administration.

David Cruise at spoke with Senator Menendez about his criticism of the president's policies and how he wants to change them.

>> Good to see you, good thank you for taking a few minutes with us.

Last time we talked he referred to the president as the asylum denier in chief.

I feel like this white paper, as much as anything, is an expression of your real frustration with this process.

>> Good to be with you.

The paper is an attempt to try to get the administration to move in a better, more effective main way.

And to preserve our nation's history as a nation in which asylum is the law.

We say we are a nation of laws, asylum is a law in the United States.

Basically instead of complaining I developed an action plan, a white paper which I shared with the administration.

It has four pillars creating legal pathways to reduce pressure at so the -- the southern borders to process asylum-seekers and remove people without legal claims to stay in the United States.

To expand humanitarian assistance and better financing to integrate refugees and migrants in countries across the Americas.

There are 20 million people in the Western Hemisphere who are displaced, seeking asylum, refugees it's a Hemisphere of challenge.

We need to work with the other countries to be part of meeting the challenge.

Lastly is to elevate our efforts to counter criminal organizations involved in human smuggling and trafficking.

All of these actions can't be taken place by the administration through executive functions.

>> We talked to several immigrants rights advocate and they say they are really concerned about the town of the president's rhetoric.

He kinds of defaults to discussions of gangs and Fentanyl smuggling.

Have the Republicans hijacked the narrative here and forest the president to the right on this issue?

>> I think that my Republican colleagues, or at least many of them, want the issue more than they want the solution.

If they want a solution, our plan offers them a solution including many of the things they want to see like accelerated asylum processing at the southern border.

But if they want the issue, then of course nothing will satisfy them.

I regret that the administration , instead of standing up for its core beliefs and/or President Biden has been in his career in the United States Senate has followed them down that rabbit hole.

The biggest problem with all of that is not only the politics of it it's that we don't achieve success at the southern border of controlling it, regular rising passage, making sure we don't have emerging circumstances at the border.

That's the biggest problem with where the president has been at in following Republicans down the view that every enforcement entity is going to be the only way to solve the problem.

We saw at the height of all the Trump initiatives people still came towards the southern border.

We have to stem the tide of why they come in the first place.

>> No easy answers.

Thank you for taking a few minutes, appreciate it.

>> Department of corrections will begin moving women from the 110-year-old women's prison that has been the focus of numerous investigations due to patterns of abuse and prepared to build a $300 million facility in a manner -- more central location.

Ordering the campus to close in 2021 and is asking for $90 million in the next fiscal budget to pay for the first phase of the closure.

The first phase includes moving more than 350 women to the nearby former youth present a section of which has been reopened to temporarily house the women while the new facility is built.

The question remains where will they permanently move them and at what cost?

Writer and project editor Colleen OD joins me.

This closure has been a long time coming.

I understand there's a temporary holding place for these women, but my question is, what is the permanent solution?

Where is that location?

>> It's a very good question and we don't have an answer yet.

We seemed to learn that there are two locations that are being considered most by the state they are in a central location.

They are near highways, you know, if I had to guess I'm thinking middle central counter, Union County, but I don't know.

There was a report in by a consultant that made some recommendations and that has yet to be released.

The commissioner said during the budget hearings that the decision about which location is going to be the best location is still under review outside of her department.

So I'm thinking higher up in the Murphy administration.

>> 300 making dollars, that's a lot of money.

What is it being spent on?

>> There's a lot of stuff you have to do, particularly with the present.

You need security, fencing, they are going to move the cameras over to the new facility and as we know right now about 150,000 square feet of mostly housing so these are modular units they are putting in first to accommodate 34 women maybe it fluctuates between 350 and 390 at the most.

There is also needing a kitchen facility, medical facility that's the first phase.

That's about $90 million that will start very soon.

The total cost of 300 million is going to include permanent structures and some really state-of-the-art prison facilities so a place for the women to meet with family, reentry spaces so they can plan on they leave, vocational training and also bettermental facilities and long-term care because while most of the women are expected to leave, there will be some who may live a long life there and die there.

Or they may be very ill.

If there's a lot that's going to go into the facility.

>> Let's talk about leadership.

What role has that played in all of this?

>> I think the commissioner has been on the job temporarily for probably about a year and a half officially, but it sounds like everything that is happening now has just really come from the way she's been driving it.

It's a very different leadership as we understand it from prior leaders and I certainly have to think that the fact that she is a woman means she has placed a great emphasis on all of the troubles that happen there.

The sexual and physical assault and trying to make sure that that culture there has changed.

From what we hear, it is changing.

>> Rate, because no one deserves that.

>> Absolutely not.

You do something wrong, you are going to prison to both I guess pay your penalty, but also to try and learn to come out and be a better person.

Certainly, you did not sign up for being assaulted.

>> After covering this for quite some time, I am happy to see that that prison is being closed but still a lot of questions that need to be answered specifically that location and of course you can remain up-to-date with Colleen o'day's reporting.

For more on the closing check out the reporting at NJ Spotlight News.org.

On this earth date polluters will be held accountable for their actions here in New Jersey.

Attorney General Matt Plotkin and Shawn Latourette target polluters across the state whose toxic legacies continued to threaten public health, safety, and the environment.

The announcement comes as settlement agreements have been reached.

The matters include five environmental justice actions centering on a broad array of pollutants that have tainted overburden communities at two separate and related site.

A sort -- a site in Fort Lee and Camden and in an effort to promote the clean New Jersey a group of elected officials are marking Earth Day by touring a solar community projects.

Jersey's rooftops are increasingly becoming a source of energy.

>> New Jersey is the Saudi Arabia of rooftops and we have to take advantage of not just this rooftop but all of these rooftops.

>> Not a comparison you here every day but like Saudi Arabia's oil New Jersey's rooftops are increasingly becoming a source of energy.

With a patchwork of solar panels things to government programs like community solar.

>> It helps reduce costs for participants, it pollutes less and it's good business for the builder and the host.

>> The residents have benefited from solar panels and I know this project will level the playing field and bridge a gap so all residents can benefit from cleaner and a healthier environment.

>> It plays a critical role in the energy ecosystem.

Especially as we strive towards our power sector goal of 100% clean energy which the Governor announced we are on track to hit.

>> Not everyone is as optimistic as Governor Murphy.

>> The momentum is there but there is a lot to be desired and in order to make sure we meet -- reach the target by 2035.

>> April solar nonprofit, he thinks the goals are attainable only if New Jersey ramps up the solar project.

>> We need projects that meaningfully address the energy needs of low income folks, communities of color and can be done in a self-sustaining way through meaningful employment of people who have been left out of the energy industry.

>> RPM warehousing is powering 700 homes.

It's a good start since it can cost upwards of $10,000 to install panels on individual homes.

>> New Jersey sets itself up as a leader demonstrating how it is possible to transition our energy system into one that is successful and can finally do justice to the historic harms that were inflicted upon communities who stand to benefit the most from climate action.

Seven out of 10 African-Americans live within 10 miles of a powerplant and to partially explain why African have lower rates of smoking yet higher rates of lung cancer.

>> While New Jersey may be the Saudi Arabia of rooftops there are aspects of the stick that make it difficult to put panels on your roof area >> Over 40% of New Jersey residents are renters and it's tricky to install when you don't own the roof over your head.

Cost and a lot of other considerations may prevent folks from participating.

>> As of last October solar systems provided 6% of New Jersey's electricity.

There is a bill in Trenton to hit 75% by 2026 and 100% by 2035.

It was introduced last August but not voted on.

I'm Ted Goldberg NJ Spotlight News.

>> Attorney General Matt Plotkin announced gambling regulations in an effort to help those struggling with gambling problems.

He unveiled plans to eliminate gambling ads in places that might entice people under 21 to gamble.

Or risk-free bets unless customers are fully compensated for the money they lose and ensure the presence of the national gambling hotline in ads.

He says the measures will help protect consumers and make it easy for individuals to access the help they need when gambling behavior becomes problematic.

This comes in the wake is New Jersey legislators try to pass the gambling education bill to teach high school students about problem gambling.

Here is a look at how the markets closed for the week.

♪ >> Support for the business report provided by the Chamber of Commerce southern New Jersey.

Looking for economic prosperity by uniting -- uniting business and community leaders for 150 years.

Membership and event information online at ChamberSNJ.com.

♪ >> Before we leave you tonight this week on NJ business beat we are taking you downtown highlighting some of the most successful main streets in the Garden State including one just named best in the country.

I spoke to the head of my touch and -- my touch and -- it's not just one of main streets it's one of America's favorite main streets.

Tell me what this national spotlight has been like >> it's been amazing for the past few weeks we have been inundated with attention and honestly other means streets across the country that are reaching out to us and they are struggling and would like a little support which we are happy to have the conversations.

We have received so much help from experts.

Particularly the Mainstreet community across America I think it's the heartbeat of America it makes us special.

It's such a community-based model that you can only do this when there is buy-in from everybody, the residence, the merchants, the landlords.

Everybody has a stake and that is why this award is special and the volunteers on the ground that really take care of so very much.

Winning this award has put Metuchen, it's a little New Jersey town there are so many people that have never heard of Metuchen, they can't pronounce it, they've never been here.

The question is, wait a minute, what's going on in Metuchen?

Why haven't I been to Metuchen and that's a real incredible opportunity for us.

We have seen investors calling to see if there are buildings for sale.

We have had retailers looking for space and, remarkably, what a great problem to have.

But after experiencing 20% vacancy just a few years ago we don't have a lot of empty storefronts to show people who want to be here.

That's just an amazing testament to the work.

>> Metuchen it's busy.

It's vibrant.

It wasn't always like this.

>> Over the last seven years, you really notice what I like to call the flip book of the storefronts.

Every time I would come back to visit, there would be another few storefronts that have seen restoration.

So over the last seven years it's been a real radical change in what goes on in this community.

It's all helped track towards this great American Mainstreet report.

>> Cheers to Metuchen.

Thank you so much.

Check out the full episode of NJ Business Beat and blowing the main streets of New Jersey Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. right here on NJ PBS.

As we leave you tonight Muslim communities across Jersey are celebrating the end of Ramadan a month of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection.

Hundreds of members of the community gathered at sundown to mark the occasion and today in Patterson the city held a block party to celebrate.

To all those we wish you a happy and blessed day -- last day of Ramadan.

Things for being with us.

Have a great weekend.

We will see you back here on Monday.

♪ >> NJM Insurance Group, serving insurance needs of residents and businesses for more than 100 years.

New Jersey Realtors, the voice for real estate in New Jersey.

More information is online at NJRealtor.com.

And By the PSNJ foundation.

>> Our future relies on more than clean energy.

Our teacher relies on empowered communities.

The health and safety of our families and neighbors, the foundation is committed to sustainability, equity and economic empowerment.

Helping towns go green aired supporting civic centers, scholarships, and workforce development that strengthens our community.

♪