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

View All Archer Services

Practice

Cannabis

News & Insights

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Intoxicating Hemp Products Still on Sale in NJ Amid Lawsuit

10.16.2024

In the News

Intoxicating Hemp Products Still on Sale in NJ Amid Lawsuit

A judge’s recent decision allowing stores to continue selling hemp products with THC is the topic of several news stories, which include comments from Bill Caruso, Chair of Archer’s Cannabis Group. A federal judge handed a partial victory to hemp businesses that sued to stop enforcement of the state’s new law restricting sales of intoxicating hemp products. The judge sided with hemp businesses that said the law would make it a crime for out-of-state businesses to transport hemp. ...

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Bill Would let People Bar Themselves from Entering Cannabis Shops

10.04.2024

In the News

Bill Would let People Bar Themselves from Entering Cannabis Shops

In the New Jersey Monitor article, "Bill Would let People Bar Themselves from Entering Cannabis Shops," partner Bill Caruso, Chair of Archer’s Cannabis Group, commented on a newly proposed bill in the Legislature that would allow people to volunteer to be on a list barring them from entering dispensaries or buying cannabis products . The measure is similar to a state program that launched in 2001 allowing people to self-exclude from entering casinos to address gambling addictions. ...

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Cannabis Council: What Rescheduling Means for NJ's Cannabis Industry

06.04.2024

Speaking Engagements & Seminars

Cannabis Council: What Rescheduling Means for NJ's Cannabis Industry

Partner & Cannabis Group Chair, Bill Caruso, will serve as moderator for the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey's Cannabis Council panel discussion, "What Rescheduling Means for NJ's Cannabis Industry." The DEA recently announced it will move to reclassify marijuana as as a less dangerous drug. More formally called marijuana rescheduling, this would reclassify marijuana from the strictest Schedule I to the less stringent Schedule III. Join the panel for this timely discussion on what this historic shift means for New Jersey's medicinal cannabis industry....

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