SJBiz_Dept_Legal Weed_0223_Dept 2 / 14 / 23 4 : 05 PM Page 3 C A N N A B I S lion dollars in revenue , because the dispen - sary is not allowed to deduct normal busi - ness expenses , that effective tax rate can go up as high as 50 , 60 , sometimes even 70 % . It is absolutely killing the industry right now . ” It’s not just a future of challenges , though , as we’re just starting to realize the vast potential of medical marijuana . “ We need more research into the spe - cific cannabinoids because there’s a huge variety out there and everybody’s endo - cannabinoid systems react differently to the products , ” Romanoli says . “ Education is key , and research into these cannabinoids is critical to our being able to say , ‘ Here’s the product that will help you sleep ’ or ‘ Here’s a product with CBG in it if you have neuro - logical problems . ’ ” Education is not only key for the NJCTA , too , but also baked directly into its mission . “ Our priorities are to help build the foundation of this industry so operators can be successful and be profitable , ” says John - son . “ One [ of our goals ] is to continue ed - ucating the legislature , the CRC , the public about cannabis and regulations that will help the industry grow . ” Minniti , having spent his entire profes - sional career in Camden , emphasizes the importance of incorporating social - equity and justice practices to make sure the in - dustry is the rising tide that raises all ships . “ The state is really concerned about so - cial justice and equal access — that’s some - thing that Bell Pharmacy has always done since we employ Camden residents first , ” he says . “ We developed The Second Chancers Program for those who have re - ceived convictions or have a record of some sort based on a cannabis offense . They’re in - centivized to come and work on our dispen - sary side . We’re going to put them through a bona - fide cannabis - training course that’s actually available at most colleges . The goal is to provide them with a formal certificate and their first work experience so they have the tools to enter this new marketplace . ” Growing the industry also means over - seeing the quality of not only its product but also its services — which Giordano says is why industry workers need to have a voice and a say , too . “ If you’re looking at consumer safety , patient safety and even the safety of the in - dustry as a whole , the workers are there every day dealing with this , ” he explains . “ That’s why we have to protect them , allow them to speak out when things aren’t right . w Protecting the workers protects us all . ” 16 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | VOLUME 13 ISSUE 2 | SouthJerseyBiz.net