>> Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, cannabis concerns, too few dispensaries and sky-high prices.

>> If you are not going to get those licenses out the door faster, they are going out there selling or product out on the street.

>> The Edison Mayor has a front row seat to the state visit of the Indian prime minister.

>> It was wonderful to see that only acknowledgments from the members of House and Senate came together, and what supporting the Indian community.

>> Ongoing cultural roles, banning the LGBTQ flight on all school properties.

Inspiring change at the oldest and largest environmental center , students get creative in conquering climate change.

>> Experiential education is critical for kids of all ages.

>> "New Jersey Spotlight News" starts right now.

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More information is online at NJrealtor.com.

And By the PSEG foundation.

♪ >> From NJPBS, this is "New Jersey Spotlight News".

>> The recreational marijuana marketplace launched two years ago but it looks like nothing but most expected.

There are too few dispensaries, there is a limited amount of product, and many of the licenses have stalled in the next stages of newness of approval.

Despite recent figures showing the industry raked in $180 million, the judiciary the biddy held a meeting to hash it out and hold the regulatory commission accountable.

Brenda Flanagan was there to hear why this industry cannot seem to move away from the underground market.

>> Members of the Senate Judiciary committee grilled New Jersey cannabis regulatory commission of its low rate of retail and license approvals and how that is arriving prices higher.

It is hurting both medical marijuana patients and pushing recreational customers into the black market place.

>> If you are not going to get the licenses out the door faster, they are selling more product on the street.

>> On the medical side, if there is a consensus that for many this is medicine, we are pricing people out of their medical needs.

>> I agree that pricing is too high.

If we can lessen some more businesses, expand retail outlets, that is the best way the CRC can impact illegal sales and convert consumers to the legal market.

>> The CRC insisted building of the new industry takes time and they approved 1300 of the initial 2000 licensed application the collected my $.5 million in tax revenues.

They assured senators efficiency is approving, but one entrepreneur charge that any applicants have waited days for approval.

>> I will be honest, some of the things you said today do not match up with what we hear from our constituents.

Some of those things include a lack of transparency.

Big corporations get priority, the process takes too long.

>> The access to capital is the problem, this is cannabis, this is New Jersey.

New Jersey is a difficult market if you want to build a shed in your backyard.

>> The CRC concedes it is not meeting get demand and says it is hard bringing new marketers online.

Nationally the industry averages 889 licensed cultivators per state.

>> If there was outdoor cultivation, the price would drop by 50% as soon as those cultivators come online.

All of the cultivation a New Jersey right now is indoor.

Patients want son and soil grown cannabis.

>> A couple of Senators said open air weed farms are a hard sell.

>> Nobody wants this in their backyard.

Because of the strong odor that emanates from a large outdoor grow.

The fear that there is going to be theft of product.

>> Some senators warned about cheaper hemp products, critics also focus on how minority and social equity license applicants faced hurdles.

New Jersey needs to try harder.

>> Money will be sucked out of local economies and transferred to big corporations that are white owned and based out of state.

>> You guys need to get creative and give investors incentives.

To give money.

>> Think about poor, financially disadvantaged people, who used the selling of cannabis in order to feed their families sometimes.

A lot of these folks being black, when we talk about getting rid of the black market, it says a lot, I encourage us to think about our language.

>> I think there will be good takeaways, and legislation.

And to learn more about what is happening and where it is happening.

>> The committee has already asked the CRC to generate a quarterly report, and it will probably hold another hearing to get more information about how to grow this industry better.

>> From LGBTQ flagged bands to hidden cameras worn by students, there is no shortage of controversy in the West would school district.

The superintendent recently announced a new policy forbidding the LGBTQ flack and pride assigns from being displayed anywhere on school property, saying the decision was not an indication of any opinion on the LGBTQ flag.

But only the American and New Jersey flags would be displayed.

That led to outreach from the community at this month's school board meeting where one attendee announced he would provide to students with hidden cameras to expose what he calls, political prejudice.

O'Keefe is the founder and former CEO of project Veritas, which is known for its controversial means of secret recordings and questionable editing of undercover stings in response to his offer to supply the hidden cameras, Westwood banned all media from last nights graduation.

A massive homebuying event kicked off into work with the mayor joining hands with the neighborhood assistance Corporation of America.

That is a nonprofit organization that works to provide mortgages for those who would otherwise be denied.

It is the start of a five day achieve the dream event.

It is part of the mayor's efforts to us the historic impact of redlining and gentrification in new art.

Melissa Rose Cooper reports for our series, Chasing the Dream, that focuses on justice, poverty and economic opportunity.

>> I am so thankful for the opportunity to become a homeowner.

>> And accomplishment one resident says she manifested into reality.

She was able to convert her section eight voucher into an affordable mortgage with help from the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, also known as NACA.

>> NACA held my hand.

They explained everything that needed to be explained, it was figuring everything out as we went along, I was patient.

After uploading my documentation, which was easy, I got my documentation uploaded in January.

I was already closing in November.

>> She is sharing her story with thousands attending the achieve the dream event in downtown Newark.

Councils will help determine eligibility for its mortgage program.

>> This is the best mortgage in America.

No down payment, no closing costs, no fees, no mortgage insurance, at a below market fixed rate, and we never consider someone's credit score.

You stick with this program, and we will get you through to achieve affordable homeownership.

>> Newark also partnering with NACA, for residents to buy a city-owned property for as little as one dollar.

>> You get a mortgage with the assistance of NACA and Bank of America, that would be well below market rate.

You will be paying more for your rent then you would be for your mortgage.

That is important.

Because in New Jersey, the wealth gap is tremendous.

In fact we have one of the highest wealth gaps in the nation.

The median wealth for white families is over $300,000.

Median wealth for African-American families is just $17,000.

For Latino families, $22,000.

What is driving that is homeownership.

The fact that we do not own our own homes, that over 70% of the people in this city rent.

>> She never thought she would ever be able to afford a home.

She knows it is just a matter of time before she and her kids have a place they can call their own.

>> At first I felt stressed, because I did not know what I was doing with uploading the documents.

I felt like I was not communicating.

But then I met Mr. Walker, he just jumped in, he reassured me.

And we are here.

>> Homeownership is important for everybody, if you are building generational wealth, getting a landlords out of the mix, which will help stabilize neighborhoods.

It is a building equity and building wealth for everyone.

>> Earning more housing security for all Newark residents.

>> Edison Mayor Sam Joshi earned a high honor when he was invited to a state dinner with President Biden and Indian Prime Minister Modi.

It was an attempt for the two Democratic countries to strengthen their relationship and set mutual roles.

For Mayor Joshi was significant, he is the first Indian-American Mayor elected to lead the town of Edison.

Tell us a little bit about what the joint session on Congress was like yesterday.

How was the Prime Minister received?

Mayor Joshi: It was a very warm welcome, it was wonderful to see that it was bipartisan support.

I was surprised at how many both Democrats and Republicans, the full chamber came together with the exception of a few individuals, united to support the prime minister and his speech.

>> The relationship between India and the U.S. has been strained recently.

Why was this visit from prime minister Modi so significant?

>> It was a very significant speech because the Prime Minister of India and President Biden in a joint session, they were making a bet on India and the strategic relations behind the supply chain, as well as defense for the U.S.. That is one who saw Japan, South Korea, Australia and India come together for this, in unity.

That is really what it was all about.

>> There were mutual goals set forward when it comes to electric buses.

What were the biggest takeaways?

>> The biggest take away was one defense, the largest applause for defense, also a huge applause for supply chain.

That is unique because right now our supply chain comes from all over the world, especially China.

When you see you have another ally, that is when India can step up and take on the supply chain for the greater part of Asia.

>> You are the mayor of Edison, a town that has a large Indian population.

What did this visit mean to you, the Indian-American community in Edison, and the broader community in Edison?

>> Edison does have one of the largest populations of Indian Americans in the U.S., it was a sense of pride.

It was wonderful to see that all of the acknowledgments from all of the members of the House and Senate came together, supporting the Indian community, and the Indian government.

Knowing that we have a common interest in the largest democracies in the world, I was happy to be a part of the event, as well as the welcoming delegation.

So that we can further our relationship.

That is what was special.

>> Prime Minister Modi has been criticized by some for anti-Muslim messages.

We have seen some of those anti-Muslim messages in Edison play out, have you gotten any feedback from the Muslim community in Edison?

>> I think it is different because it was an invitation directly from the president, as well as a number of elected officials from throughout the country.

And the Government of India.

For me, I dismiss any sort of hatred or discrimination at all levels, on a local level I try to do everything I can to unite our communities.

For this specific visit, I was happy to be a part of bringing unity towards a common interest, and how we can make the lives of Americans better.

>> Thank you so much.

>> New Jersey has never really avoided a fight with the federal government over fish.

The state was close to being found out of compliance with the federal rule protecting scribed pass, a species that has been overfished for years.

Emergency regulations make it much harder to catch and keep striped bass for the rest of this year after do data showed a spike in the catch last year.

The new rules could helpers for the Atlantic striped bass relation by 2029.

At the goal of a Federal Council working to save the species, the new rules are not without controversy.

They have been criticized by charter boat captains who fear it will hurt their business because customers to pay for trips.

The State Council did not have much of a choice.

They had until July 2 to adopt with the rules or face the consequences.

And J transit is on the brink of a billion-dollar budget shortfall in the coming years.

But most New Jerseyans do not want to see fare hikes or service cuts to cover the deficit.

The latest polls found that more than half opposed the agency cutting services, even though there has not been a fair hike in some time.

Roughly the same amount of New Jerseyans would rather see an increase in state aid to transit.

The results match what public opinion on NJ transits operations have long been.

>> Where we do see support is for direct state aid.

This is not surprising because we see this attitude from New Jerseyans and any resident of any state across a wide range of issues.

Residents do not want to pay more, when we know that taxes have been the number one issue in New Jersey.

New Jerseyans do not want to see more coming out of their pockets.

>> The Hudson River tunnel project is about to get a cash infusion of $25 billion.

The money will kick off summer construction of the Gateway project that will begin with a new overpass for the Tunnel Avenue bridge.

It has been stalled since 2010.

The U.S.

Senator Bob Menendez have raised the funding calling it vital to the region's economy to creating hundreds of union jobs and to keeping the Gateway project running on track.

That money is just a fraction of the total $16 billion cost of the tunnel.

Also expected to begin this summer is construction on the New York side of the river on Hudson yards.

The beautiful coffee aroma that fills the town of Freehold will be no more.

Nestlé will shut down Freehold coffee plant in November.

The news comes just days after workers staged a protest calling for the facility to remain open saying, it has been a staple in the community for the last 75 years.

Despite those pleas, Nestlé will move its coffee production plants to sites in Mexico and Brazil, citing a need to keep up with U.S. demand.

Here's how the markets closed for the week amid growing fears of a recession.

>> Support for the business report provided by the Chamber of Commerce southern New Jersey, looking for economic prosperity by uniting business and community leaders for 100 and 50 years.

Membership and event information online at ChamberSNJ.com.

>> Joined Raven sent for NJ is in us this weekend.

How Jersey fresh produce makes it to our schools and the legacy of lack farmers in New Jersey.

That is Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday morning at 9:30.

♪ >> The New Jersey school of conservation, the lesson largest environmental Center was on the brink of extinction what it was thrown a lifeline.

The school had to shut down during the Covid pandemic and it looked like it might stay closed for good until a group came in to save it.

It is back in full swing, educating kids with newly secured funding and undo Lisa from the DEP on its building and future.

>> The steaks on the ground are the earth, the sticks that GOA resemble the air, the bottle in the middle resembles the people and how they cannot to breathe under the toxic air.

>> This we, these middle schoolers got artsy and outdoorsy at the New Jersey school of conservation.

>> There has been generations of New Jersey residents who have grown up with a common experience of having come to the school of conservation, usually as art of a school group.

And learning about how to take care of the environment.

>> The vice president of friends of NJ SOC, a group that sprung into action when Covid close on the school in 2020.

>> The friends of the school of conservation or a regular France group, doing what Friends groups do, supporting the school.

We mobilized and the first thing we did was try to establish a letter writing campaign to get people to keep the school from closing.

>> After letter writing and fundraising, the Department of Environmental Protection allowed the friends who have a limited access agreement to run the school.

After a successful year of small programs, the friends got another year-long agreement which allowed them to welcome students back.

>> The first group that came back was Winona, they have been coming here for 25 years.

The only year they missed was 2020.

They drove three hours to come here in the rain because this is an important part of their curriculum, it is worth it for them.

>> In person experiences just help students learn about the environment, they also help schools conform with state standards that call for climate change to be taught outside of just science class.

>> Experiential education is critical for kids of all ages.

To have an opportunity to come to a campus like this, and get their hands wet, feet in the woods, the pine needles, gives them an opportunity to experience things that they wouldn't experience in a classroom.

>> As for the students, they do not mind stepping out of classrooms.

>> It is better than sitting in the classroom talking about it, it is more fun experiencing it.

>> It is very fun, I need a break like this.

>> More students will get those breaks.

The friends signed a 20 year lease agreement.

>> Into means that we will be able to have overnight programs, school groups will be able to come back and stay overnight, there is a lot that needs to be done in order for that to happen.

>> The first overnight trips are scheduled for this summer.

>> That does it for us tonight, be sure to tune into Reporters Roundtable with David Cruise this weekend where he talks with the director at Rider University about 2024 and Chris Christie's chances at the presidential election.

And then on Chat Box, David looks back of the most notable interviews over the last year.

That is Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10:30 a.m.. For the entire NJ Spotlight team, thank you for being with us, have a great weekend, we will see you on Monday.

♪ >> The members of the New Jersey education Association, making public schools great for every child.

RWJBarnabas Health, let's be healthy together, mended to the creation of a do long-term sustainable clean energy future for New Jersey.

Make your funding for chasing the dream is promoted by the JVP foundation,.

Our future relies on more than clean energy.

Our future relies on empowered communities.

The health and safety of our families and neighbors.

Of our schools into streets.

The PSEG foundation is committed to sustainability, equity and economic empowerment.

Investing in parts, helping towns go green, supporting civic centers, scholarships, and workforce development that strengthen our community.

>> Look at these kids.

What do you see?

I see myself.

I became an ESL teacher to give my students what I wanted when I came to this country.

The opportunity to learn, to dream, to achieve, a chance to belong and to be an American.

I am proud to be an NJAE member.

♪