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With more than 100 legalized cannabis dispensaries open for business in New Jersey, state officials are celebrating the milestone and pledging to continue moving the industry forward.

Just three years shy of the establishment of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission – and about two years into adult-uses sales – the state’s dispensary directory now lists 102 medicinal and recreational locations.

That figure includes 40 facilities for patients and recreational customers, 12 that are medicinal only and 50 for adult-use sales, according to the CRC. The regulatory agency oversees licensing, cultivation, testing and selling of cannabis in the state.

CRC Executive Director Jeff Brown said he is excited about the industry’s growth.

“After having just 12 alternative treatment centers for more than eight years, we have seen a proliferation of businesses in the last two that clearly demonstrates consumer demand and the potential of the cannabis industry in New Jersey,” said Brown, who also worked with the former Medicinal Marijuana Program under the Department of Health.

“Recreational Cannabis sales hit $673,907,755 in 2023, and medicinal cannabis reached $99,588,104 for the first three quarters of 2023. There is every indication that the overall sales amount will rise this year and next,” he stated.

A growing business

Cannabis businesses also have operating licenses in every county. And, there is at least one dispensary in 20 of New Jersey’s 21 counties, the CRC said, noting that 60% of municipalities continue to opt out of allowing such ventures in their jurisdictions.

“Dispensaries are not the only cannabis businesses opening,” reported Brown. “There are now more than 200 operating licenses in the state, including 23 cultivators and 15 manufacturers. With more businesses opening, we expect a competitive market that will be beneficial to consumers in price, product availability, and product quality.”

CRC Chair Dianna Houenou is encouraged by the numbers.

“We have been thoughtful and deliberate about establishing New Jersey’s cannabis market that protects patient access, keeps New Jerseyans safe, and prioritizes equity,” she said.

“It is heartening to see how well the market is thriving while accomplishing those commitments. I look forward to seeing more municipalities open up to the industry so aspiring entrepreneurs can find opportunities, patients and consumers have more options to purchase safely, and the industry is strengthened,” Houenou added.

Gov. Phil Murphy thanked the CRC for its “dedicated work and leadership on this critical area of our economy.”

“When the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission was established, our administration’s goal was to develop a stronger, fairer, and more equitable model for the rollout of an adult-use cannabis market. Reaching 100 cannabis dispensaries is a huge milestone that shows we are headed in the right direction,” the Democratic governor said.

New Jersey cannabis sales as of 2023 Q3 (click here to read more):