William J. Caruso

Partner

Overview

Bill serves as Chair of Archer’s Cannabis Group. Bill is one of the leading advocates and influencers for the cannabis industry, and served as an influential voice in New Jersey’s long battle to end cannabis prohibition. He is a co-founder of New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform, a group that laid the groundwork for the legalization movement. Bill was also a leader with the advocacy group, NJ CAN 2020, that spearheaded the November 2020 ballot initiative to legalize cannabis for personal use.

In his practice, Bill represents clients that are both veterans and new leaders in the medical and adult-use cannabis industries, including retailers, processors, growers and ancillary businesses. He provides guidance on marijuana-related business issues, including issues pertaining to strategic planning and transactions, banking and finance, taxation, labor and employment, land use and zoning, real estate, municipal law, and healthcare law.

Bill has a deep knowledge of New Jersey government and strong relationships with political and industry leaders in the state. Prior to joining Archer, Bill served nearly five years as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office in Trenton. He was responsible for developing and implementing the Assembly’s policy agenda, and, as top aide to the Speaker, served as lead staff negotiator on all policy matters and as liaison to the Governor’s office, Senate and state departments. He was responsible for daily management of approximately 30 policy research professionals and communications and administrative staff. During his tenure, Bill helped shepherd through numerous pieces of landmark legislation, including pension and health benefits reform.

Credentials

Education

Rutgers University School of Law, JD
Bucknell University, BA

Admissions

New Jersey

Offices

Voorhees, NJ

Areas of Focus

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Practice

Cannabis

News & Insights

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05.14.2025

Speaking Engagements & Seminars

The Second Act of Cannabis Event

Attorneys Bill Caruso and Douglas Diaz will be serving as panelists during the NJBIA half-day cannabis industry conference “The Second Act of Cannabis in the Garden State.” Conference attendees will explore real impacts to New Jersey businesses operating in the recreational cannabis marketplace. The event will focus on employer human resources challenges any business can face, including liabilities and risks, and will discuss how the cannabis industry may evolve under a new federal administration. During the conference, Bill, who is chair of Archer’s Cannabis Group, will serve as moderator for the program “Cannabis Market Trends Impacting New Jersey Businesses.” Douglas, a member of Archer’s Labor & Employment Group, will be a panelist for the program “Balancing the Highs - Employee Policies and Workplace Practices in a Cannabis-Legal World.”...

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Regulatory Updates at the Federal and State Levels

04.29.2025

Speaking Engagements & Seminars

Regulatory Updates at the Federal and State Levels

Bill Caruso, who chairs Archer’s Cannabis group, will be presenting the program “Regulatory Updates at the Federal and State Levels” at MJ Unpacked, a 3-day cannabis-industry conference. Join Bill and other experts as they break down the impacts cannabis operators, owners and investors are facing under legislative and compliance developments. Discover the latest in key policy shifts, how state-level regulations are adapting to market demands and the ongoing regulatory challenges surrounding intoxicating hemp-derived products....

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02.26.2025

Speaking Engagements & Seminars

Cannabis Workshop

Partner Bill Caruso will serve as the moderator for the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey’s “Cannabis Workshop.” Joining Bill will be a panel of industry leaders, who will be discussing the current state of cannabis and its future....

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