NJ-CRC Announces 100 Plus New Jersey Cannabis Dispensaries Now Open

The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) announced their dispensary directory now lists 102 medical and adult use/recreational legal New Jersey cannabis dispensaries.

The NJ-CRC’s directory includes 42 New Jersey cannabis dispensaries that serve patients and recreational consumers, 9 that are exclusive to patients, and 49 that only serve recreational consumers.

At least 36 locations of the 102 are owned by cannabis corporations that are Multi-State Operators (MSOs).

Last week, Heady NJ noted that 100 New Jersey cannabis dispensaries have already opened while the quality of products and prices remain serious issues. We have covered the quick pace of Grand Openings as best we can since at least one to two dispensaries are opening every week now.

“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,” declared Governor Phil Murphy (D). “As we continue towards our goals for the cannabis market in New Jersey, I am grateful to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission for their dedicated work and leadership on this critical area of our economy.”

The legal adult use New Jersey cannabis market opened on April 21, 2022. The NJC-CRC first met in April 2021.

Celebrating Progress

NJ-CRC Executive Director Jeff Brown led the former Medicinal Marijuana Program under the Department of Health before being appointed to his current position. He was very excited about the New Jersey cannabis industry’s growth.

“This is undoubtedly a major milestone for the NJ-CRC and for the state,” he declared. “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. Recreational Cannabis sales hit $673,907,755 in 2023. 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.”

At the NJ-CRC meeting last week, Brown exclaimed that the New Jersey adult use cannabis market will hit $1 billion in sales this year.

It has been projected to grow even larger by some experts.

NJ Dispensaries Growth

There is at least one dispensary in 20 of New Jersey’s 21 counties. Also, despite more than half of New Jersey municipalities opting out of having cannabis businesses, cannabis businesses have operating licenses in every county, according to the NJ-CRC.

“Dispensaries are not the only cannabis businesses opening,” Brown argued.

He claimed there are more than 200 operating licenses in New Jersey, including 23 legal cannabis cultivators and 15 licensed New Jersey cannabis manufacturers. 

“With more businesses opening, we expect a competitive market that will be beneficial to consumers in price, product availability, and product quality,” Brown added.

NJCRC Chair Dianna Houenou was encouraged by the progress.

“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 argued.

“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.

New Jersey Cannabis Market Issues

The New Jersey medical marijuana program has had a lot of problems since its start. It was only signed into law by former Governor Jon Corzine (D) on his last day in office. Under his successor, former Governor Chris Christie (R), only a few companies owned by White men from other states who had negligible connections to the longtime underground culture were allowed to operate in New Jersey. Advocates agree they generally produce overpriced, mediocre cannabis at best and harmful products at worst.

The small program under Christie had less than 9,000 patients when Murphy took office and appointed Brown. While eager to license more New Jersey cannabis dispensaries, the 2018 round led to a lawsuit.

It allowed six more companies to grow cannabis, make products, and operate three New Jersey cannabis dispensaries per license. The 2019 round under the same rules also led to a lawsuit that, along with COVID delayed the process for 29 months until 2021. It left deep scars among those who have been able to open and those who have not.

Thus, New Jersey’s entire approach to cannabis had to change.

Changing New Jersey Cannabis Policy and Laws

The 2020 adult-use cannabis legalization referendum and implementation bill CREAMMA were the first steps towards allowing local, smaller businesses owned by people of color, those hurt by the War on Drugs, and or women to be able to enter the market.

The process has been difficult and taken longer than most involved would have liked.

Many of the NJ-CRC’s intentions, like helping conditional license winners, usually small businesspeople, enter the New Jersey cannabis market, have not worked well. The more cannabis tax revenue they get, the more they can address some problems.

The prioritization process has not been smooth. Better financed annual license operators opened faster than conditional conversion annual license holders often owned by local small business people.

Many of the 23 alleged licensed cultivators still need to harvest for their products to hit shelves.

Progress Made

Nonetheless, progress has certainly been made. Many of the opened dispensaries are owned by locals in the Garden State. Some are women-owned and micro business dispensaries like Elevated by CannaBoss Lady in Maplewood and Leaf Haus in Franklin Township (which Heady NJ has an ad deal with full disclosure). Others, like the Leaf Joint in Jersey, are fully Black-owned, while 1634 Funk (which Heady NJ also has a deal with), also in Jersey City, is Black and Asian-owned, along with being a micro business and social equity. The Cannabis Place in Jersey City and Cookies in  Harrison are both Hispanic-owned MSOs.

Most of the newly opened New Jersey cannabis dispensaries that are locally owned were spearheaded by serial businesspeople who opened other legal businesses first. They were able to get creative with the issue of capital, which has hurt many inexperienced businesspeople.

The NJ Economic Development Authority (NJ-EDA) gave out a few pilot or experimental program grants to companies not majority-owned by New Jerseyans. Some of them were small MSOs owned by women or minorities from elsewhere.

A training program by the State to also help New Jersey license seekers is coming soon.

However, many New Jersey cannabis advocates do not like police pursuing underground legacy operators and the lack of cannabis home grow legalization. Both are policies Murphy has endorsed, which makes change difficult.

The NJ-CRC has been in a difficult position. They both condemn the underground market and seek to persuade its operators to go legal. Also, the NJ-CRC has made it very clear they have no influence over home grow policy. The New Jersey legislature must pass a law to change that. However, the NJ Senate President Nick Scutari (D-Union) remains opposed to it due to the perception it would hurt the industry.

The Open New Jersey Cannabis Dispensaries Listed Alphabetically

1. Apothecarium Dispensary 55 SOUTH MAIN ST. PHILLIPSBURG https://apothecariumnj.com/phillipsburg/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
2. Apothecarium Dispensary 1865 SPRINGFIELD AVENUE MAPLEWOOD https://apothecariumnj.com/maplewood/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
3. Apothecarium Dispensary200 NJ-17 LODI https://apothecariumnj.com/lodi/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
4. Ascend 174 ROUTE 17 NORTH ROCHELLE PARK -Rochelle-Park (http://letsascend.com) Medicinal and Recreational MSO
5. Ascend 461-469 WEST STATE STREET FORT LEE (http://letsascend.com) Medicinal and Recreational MSO
6. Ascend 395 BLOOMFIELD AVE MONTCLAIR (http://letsascend.com) Medicinal and Recreational MSO
7. Aunt Mary’s Dispensary, LLC 100 REAVILLE AVE. SUITE 211 FLEMINGTON http://www.auntmarysnj.co/ Medicinal and Recreational
8. Ayr Wellness (formerly Garden State Dispensary) 950 US 1 NORTH WOODBRIDGE https://gardenstatedispensary.com/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
9. Ayr Wellness 59 MAIN ST EATONTOWN https://gardenstatedispensary.com/locations/eatontown/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
10. Ayr Wellness 2536 RT 22 UNION ttps://gardenstatedispensary.com/locations/union/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
11. BLOC 1075 EASTON AVE SOMERSET https://www.blocdispensary.com/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
12. BLOC 501 US-9 WARETOWN https://www.blocdispensary.com/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
13. BLOC 1761 NORTH OLDEN AVENUE EWING https://www.blocdispensary.com/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
14. Botanist, The 100 CENTURY DRIVE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP https://www.shopbotanist.com/locations/egg-harbor-township/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
15. Botanist, The2090 N BLACKHORSE PIKE WILLIAMSTOWN https://www.shopbotanist.com/locations/williamstown/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
16. Brute’s Roots 6206 BLACK HORSE PIKE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP https://brutesroots.com/ Medicinal and Recreational
17. Cannabist, The 1062 NORTH DELSEA DRIVE VINELAND https://col-care.com/location/vineland/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
18. Cannabist, The 1692 CLEMENTS BRIDGE RD DEPTFORD https://gocannabist.com/location/deptford/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
19. Curaleaf 191 RTE 130 BORDENTOWN https://curaleaf.com/shop/new-jersey/curaleaf-nj-bordentown? Medicinal and Recreational MSO
20. Curaleaf 640 CREEK ROAD BELLMAWR https://curaleaf.com/shop/new-jersey/curaleaf-nj-bellmawr? Medicinal and Recreational MSO
21. Curaleaf 4237 US-130 South EDGEWATER PARK https://curaleaf.com/shop/new-jersey/curaleaf-nj-edgewater-park? Medicinal and Recreational MSO
22. Design 710 112 PARK PLACE ATLANTIC CITY https://design710.com/ Medicinal and Recreational
23. downtown FLWR 141 NEWARK AVENUE JERSEY CITY https://downtownflwr.com/ Medicinal and Recreational
24. Eastern Green 78 ROUTE 73 VOORHEES https://easterngreendispensary.com/ Medicinal and Recreational
25. Garden State Botanicals 1345 US-1 NORTH BRUNSWICK https://dutchie.com/stores/garden-state-botanicals Medicinal and Recreational
26. Garfield Gardens Dispensary 517 RIVER DRIVE GARFIELD https://yumaway.com/locations/revergardens Medicinal and Recreational MSO
27. Holistic Solutions LLC 451 WHITE HORSE PIKE ATCO https://myholisticsolutions.com/ Medicinal and Recreational
28. HoneyGrove 1337 BLACKWOOD-CLEMENTON ROAD GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP honeygrovedispensary.com/ Medicinal and Recreational
29. MPX NJ 153 S. NEW YORK AVENUE ATLANTIC CITY (http://mpxnj.com) Medicinal and Recreational MSO
30. MPX NJ 5035 CENTRAL HWY PENNSAUKEN https://mpxnj.com/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
31. MPX NJ 581 BERLIN-CROSS KEYS ROAD SICKLERVILLE https://mpxnj.com/gloucester-township/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
32. NJ Leaf 546 PARK AVENUE FREEHOLD  https://njleaf.com/ Medicinal and Recreational
33. RIPT 220 BROADWAY JERSEY CITY http://www.riptdispensary.com Medicinal and Recreational
34. RISE 196 3RD AVENUE #3-C PATERSON risecannabis.com/dispensaries/new-jersey/paterson/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
35. RISE 26-48 BLOOMFIELD AVE BLOOMFIELD risecannabis.com/dispensaries/new-jersey/bloomfield/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
36. Sweet Spot 903 WHITE HORSE ROAD, SUITE 2 VOORHEES https://sweetspotfarms.com/store/nj001 Medicinal and Recreational MSO
37. Terrapin Investment Fund “The Station” 86 RIVER ST. HOBOKEN https://shop.thestationhoboken.com/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
38. URB’N Dispensary 378 SOUTH ST NEWARK https://urbndispensary.com/home Medicinal and Recreational
39. Valley Wellness LLC 407 US-202 RARITAN https://valleywellnessnj.com/ Medicinal and Recreational
40. Zen Leaf 3256 BRUNSWICK PIKE LAWRENCE TWP. https://zenleafdispensaries.com/locations/lawrence/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
41. Zen Leaf 117 SPRING STREET ELIZABETH zenleafdispensaries.com/locations/elizabeth/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
42. Zen Leaf 2100 ROUTE 66 NEPTUNE https://zenleafdispensaries.com/locations/neptune/ Medicinal and Recreational MSO
43. Botanist, The 1301 BOARDWALK ATLANTIC CITY https://www.shopbotanist.com/locations/atlantic-city/ Medicinal cannabis only MSO
44. Breakwater 2 CORPORATE DRIVE, SUITE E CRANBURY https://www.breakwateratc.com/ Medicinal cannabis only
45. Breakwater 154 WEST WESTFIELD AVE ROSELLE PARK http://www.breakwateratc.com/ Medicinal cannabis only
46. Monteverde NJ 45 N BRIDGE AVENUE RED BANK https://monteverdenj.com Medicinal cannabis only
47. Restore NJ, LLC 300 WILLIAM DALTON DRIVE GLASSBORO https://restoredispensaries.com/locations/glassboro/ Medicinal cannabis only
48. RISE 145 RT. 4 WEST, UNIT #2 PARAMUS  (http://risecannabis.com) Medicinal cannabis only MSO
49. Roots Dispensary 4402 ROUTE 130 WILLINGBORO http://rootsnj.com Medicinal cannabis only
50. Sanctuary Cannabis 2581 US-22 SCOTCH PLAINS https://sanctuarymed.com/scotchplains/ Medicinal cannabis only
51. SilverLeaf Wellness 1743 ROUTE 27 SOMERSET https://silverleafnj.com/ Medicinal cannabis only
52. Theo A. Cannabis 3059 RT. 27, UNIT 104 FRANKLIN PARK http://njtheo.com Medicinal cannabis only
53. 1634 Funk 394 COMMUNIPAW AVENUE JERSEY CITY https://strictlycbdjc.com/ Recreational cannabis only
54. A21 Wellness 2507 US HIGHWAY 22 SCOTCH PLAINS https://a21dispensary.com/ Recreational cannabis only
55. Anja 225 WOODBRIDGE AVENUE HIGHLAND PARK https://www.getanja.com/ Recreational cannabis only
56. Baked by the River 8 CHURCH STREET LAMBERTVILLE http://www.bakedbytheriver.com/ Recreational cannabis only
57. Camden Apothecary 1205 HADDON AVENUE CAMDEN https://camdenapothecary.com/ Recreational cannabis only
58. Cannabis Clubhouse 70-72 E MAIN STREET SUSSEX https://www.cannabisclubhousenj.com/ Recreational cannabis only
59. Cannabis Place, The 1544 JOHN F. KENNEDY BOULEVARD JERSEY CITY https://thecannabisplace.org/ Recreational cannabis only MSO
60. Cloud Nine Dispensary 513-27 ROUTE 22 NORTH PLAINFIELD https://www.c9dispensarynj.com/ Recreational cannabis only
61. Cookies Harrison 331 ANGELO CIFELLI DRIVE HARRISON https://cookies.co/stores/cookies_harrison Recreational cannabis only MSO
62. Dank Poet Dispensary 245 E WASHINGTON AVE WASHINGTON https://dankpoet.com/ Recreational cannabis only
63. Daylite Cannabis 1136 ROUTE 73 MOUNT LAUREL http://daylitecannabis.com/ Recreational cannabis only
64. Earth & Ivy 355 GEORGE STREET NEW BRUNSWICK http://earthandivy.co/ Recreational cannabis only
65. Elevated by TheCannaBossLady 9 HIGHLAND PLACE MAPLEWOOD http://thecannabosslady.com/ Recreational cannabis only
66. Elevated Herb 1846 ROUTE 23 WEST MILFORD https://elevated-herb.com/ Recreational cannabis only
67. Evolve Cannabis 186 US-130 BORDENTOWN https://www.evolvcannabis.com/ Recreational cannabis only
68. Fire and Oak 5 WASHINGTON STREET MOUNT HOLLY https://www.faomtholly.com/ Recreational cannabis only
69. Garden Greenz 190 NEWARK AVENUE JERSEY CITY https://gardengreenz201.com/ Recreational cannabis only
70. Hackettstown Dispensary 321 MOUNTAIN AVENUE HACKETTSTOWN https://www.hackettstowndispensarynj.com/ Recreational cannabis only
71. Hashery 409 NJ-17 HACKENSACK https://hasherynj.com/ Recreational cannabis only
72. Hello High 7685 BLACK HORSE PIKE HAMMONTON http://www.hellohigh.com/ Recreational cannabis only
73. High Street Dispensary 811 HIGH STREET HACKETTSTOWN https://www.njhighstreet.com/ Recreational cannabis only
74. Highway 90 90 OLD MARLTON PIKE WEST EVESHAM http://www.thehighway90.com/ Recreational cannabis only
75. Indigo 302 CRESCENT BOULEVARD BROOKLAWN https://www.indigodispensary.com/ Recreational cannabis only
76. Jersey Roots 1433 UNION VALLEY RD WEST MILFORD http://jerseyrootsdispensary.com Recreational cannabis only
77. Joy Leaf 711 EAST 1ST AVENUE ROSELLE https://www.joyleaf.com/ Recreational cannabis only
78. Kind Kush 279 US-46 ROCKAWAY https://kindkushdispensary.com/ Recreational cannabis only
79. Leaf Haus 900 EASTON AVENUE, SUITE 18 SOMERSET https://leafhaus.com/ Recreational cannabis only
80. Leaf Joint, The  391 CENTRAL AVE, GROUND FLOOR JERSEY CITY https://www.theleafjoint.net/ Recreational cannabis only
81. Lemon 22 2006 ROUTE 22 SCOTCH PLAINS https://www.chillinoutsmokeshop.com/ Recreational cannabis only
82. Mass Grown 34 MILL ST, SUITE A-B MOUNT HOLLY http://massgrownnj.com Recreational cannabis only
83. Med Leaf 201 PHILADELPHIA AVENUE EGG HARBOR CITY https://www.medleafdispensary.com/ Recreational cannabis only
84. Molly Ann Farms 256 BELMONT AVENUE HALEDON https://www.mollyannfarms.com/ Recreational cannabis only
85. Mountain View Farmacy 74 OAK RIDGE ROAD WEST MILFORD http://www.mvf.earth/ Recreational cannabis only
86. New Era Dispensary 80-88 MAIN STREET SOUTH BOUND BROOK https://neweradispensary.com/ Recreational cannabis only
87. Nightjar 549 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE BLOOMFIELD http://www.nightjarcannabis.com Recreational cannabis only
88. Noire Dispensary 171 MAPLEWOOD AVE MAPLEWOOD https://zebulon51.com/shop/ Recreational cannabis only
89. Nova Farms 642 MANTUA AVENUE WOODBURY http://www.novafarms.com/ Recreational cannabis only MSO
90. Organic Farms 2895 MOUNT EPHRAIM AVENUE CAMDEN https://www.organicfarms21.com/ Recreational cannabis only
91. Phasal 1100 N BLACK HORSE PIKE RUNNEMEDE https://phasaldispensary.com/ Recreational cannabis only MSO
92. Phula 60-62 HIGH STREET MOUNT HOLLY https://www.mthollydispensary.com/_test/ Recreational cannabis only
93. Puffin Store 382 GEORGE STREET NEW BRUNSWICK https://puffinstorenj.com/ Recreational cannabis only
94. Pure Blossom 2554 PENNINGTON ROAD PENNINGTON https://www.pureblossom.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp Recreational cannabis only
95. Queen City Remedies 1353 SOUTH AVE PLAINFIELD https://queencitynj.com/ Recreational cannabis only
96. Royal M 102A E FRONT ST PLAINFIELD https://royalmcannabis.com/ Recreational cannabis only
97. Shore House Canna 124 SUNSET BLVD WEST CAPE MAY https://shorehousecanna.com/ Recreational cannabis only
98. Social Leaf, The 334 ATLANTIC CITY BOULEVARD SOUTH TOMS RIVER https://thesocialleaf.com/ Recreational cannabis only
99. Soulflora 2713 NJ ROUTE 23, SUITE 5A NEWFOUNDLAND https://www.soulflora.com/ Recreational cannabis only
100. Union Chill 204 N UNION ST, #108 LAMBERTVILLE https://unionchillco.com/ Recreational cannabis only
101. Unity Rd. Cannabis Shop 441 ELIZABETH AVE SOMERSET unityrd.com/locations/nj/franklin-somerset/441-elizabeth-ave Recreational cannabis only MSO
102. Voltaire NJ 47 MILL STREET MOUNT HOLLY http://shopvoltaire.com/ Recreational cannabis only