Jeff Brown

.Though legal recreational marijuana sales have begun after a surprising delay, a Senate panel scrutinized the new industry at a 4 1/2 hour hearing.

Thirteen dispensaries now selling medical marijuana are getting state licenses to sell to any adult starting April 21.

Cannabis Regulatory Commission approves recreational marijuana sales at 13 dispensaries owned by seven companies. Start dates are not yet set.

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission shelved a plan to let medical dispensaries start selling to other adults, citing concerns over supply and patient access.

Sales of state-regulated recreational marijuana will start when expansions of medical dispensaries are approved. That might be weeks away, but maybe not.

Interim rules set licensing priorities, fees and more but leave some details for later. A date to start sales isn't set but must happen by Feb. 15.

While the Cannabis Regulatory Commission works on private lab rules, local officials and Congress will decide what comes next with legal marijuana.

"I'm thrilled that we've finally arrived at this historic day, the inaugural public meeting of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission," said CRC chairwoman Dianna Houenou.