The new year of 2026 looks to be just as eventful for the NJ cannabis community and industry as 2025. Many developments that Heady NJ covered will continue.

Schedule III Marijuana?

President Donald Trump (R) has endorsed marijuana rescheduling from Schedule I to Schedule III and seems to want to move the process forward quickly.

He looks like he wants to allow a friendly, large corporation to make a CBD pill approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

It’s unclear how it will affect the state markets. The White House didn’t include that in their announcement.

Many state legal cannabis companies want banking and tax reform to write off expenses.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was against progress when former President Joe Biden endorsed Schedule III rescheduling. He let them run a show trial that Trump canceled.

But Trump has beaten both earnest and power-hungry bureaucrats in the last year.

Notably, half the Republican Party hates the prospect of cannabis reform progress.

Schedule III is half assed idea. What is truly needed for the full flowering of cannabis is federal legalization via descheduling. A broad bipartisan movement of patient and consumer advocates, independent dispensary owners, some Multi-State Operators (MSOs), and Heady NJ has already endorsed descheduling.

Intoxicating Hemp Ban by Thanksgiving 2026?

Both the U.S. government and Jersey are cracking down on intoxicating hemp. The ban will be gradually phased in by both. But by Thanksgiving 2026, both bans will be in place if they get their wish.

Many independent dispensary supporters are against shady gas stations and convenience stores, along with smoke shops and CBD stores selling weed.

It remains to be seen if ethical smoke shop owners and CBD store operators can cope. Local hemp farmers have been organizing and testifying to protect their interests, which might not be ruined by the bans.

NJ Liquor Stores Selling Hemp Drinks?

A big question was what would happen to liquor stores selling intoxicating hemp seltzers. Initially, it seemed like Big Booze had a carveout to sell them indefinitely. But a last-minute insertion wants that to end by Thanksgiving 2026.

The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) might be pressured into allowing liquor stores to continue to sell intoxicating hemp drinks with a new license type.

But that’s not what the law says.

The bill still has to be signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy (D) to take effect.

A New Governor of New Jersey and Cannabis

Since signing the legalization law CREAMMA in 2021, Murphy has largely left NJ-CRC Chair Dianna Houenou and NJ Senate President Nick Scutari (D-22-Union) take the lead in advancing cannabis progress.

However, Mikie Sherill will be sworn in as the Governor of New Jersey next week. It remains to be seen how engaged Sherrill will be on cannabis policy. She didn’t note it much on the campaign trail. However, affordability and issues with Trump running the feds were bigger issues for many voters.

NJ Cannabis Homegrow Issues in 2026

We’re also likely to see the 3rd legislative session where exclusively cannabis home grow legalization bills are filed by legislators.

Sherill did note on CBS that she favors homegrown cannabis legalization versus Murphy, who only said he was “open” to the idea. Her stronger support on national television has heartened many frustrated advocates. Especially since persuading Scutari, who said he would legalize growing 1 plant, has been difficult.

Heady NJ has heard he isn’t receptive to advocates. It would be fun if someone read this and persuaded him to have an amicable meeting with them.

A man caught with 1 plant in South Jersey was recently facing dire consequences. His case will be interesting to follow in 2026.

The NJ-CRC and Canna-Biz Programs

The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) is likely to see great changes in 2026.

It is likely that the new Mayor of Springfield, Harris Laufer, will be a Commissioner eventually.

But it’s unclear if Houenou will survive as Chair, along with incumbent Commissioners Krista Nash and Amelia Mapp, under Sherrill.

The NJ Cannabis Training Academy (CTA) under the NJ Business Action Center (NJBAC) will likely survive. However, it remains to be seen if their current wise leadership will be allowed to remain in place.

The Economic Development Authority (EDA) tried to give out some money to help some struggling entrepreneurs. But it’s been a process of trial and error by people who prefer persuading Hollywood to come to Jersey. It’s unclear what will happen there.

At least one of their grant winners has closed.

Blazing a trail isn’t easy.

NJ Cannabis Testing Concerns Remain

The NJCRC said it is reviewing testing issues of mold and yeast and THC inflation. That will be interesting to see.

Heady NJ has heard many more rumors of issues than we’ve published.

Sometimes, individuals do not wish to speak on the record for fear of a large corporation going after them.

That does not mean it does not happen.

Smoke Shop/Legacy Raids?

Scutari wants the NJ State Police to spearhead underground legacy raids. The bill that would mandate they go after legacy operators has not been signed into law yet.

But that could happen very soon.

As long as someone wants something the State won’t allow, someone will sell it in the underground legacy market.

So far, towns have been taking the lead in going after shady operators.

More Legal NJ Cannabis Lounges?

While 3 legal cannabis lounges were opened in South Jersey in 2025, none have opened in Central or North Jersey.

Urb’n in Newark was approved by the CRC to do so.

Heady NJ has heard that many dispensaries are eager to open a lounge in Jersey City, for example.

Legal cannabis lounges are new in Jersey and most of the legal markets. Some dispensary owners want their lounges to be like theaters. Some might want to be a private club. A lot wanted to be like a bar and grill. But they can’t have a grill or sell liquor.

They might be able to sell it from a food truck with its own paperwork outside.

More NJ Dispensary Chains

Along with the chains of the large corporate MSOs that have dominated NJ cannabis since it was legalized, several local adult-use dispensary chains have opened.

For example, the underground legacy to legal owned Honey chain (which Heady NJ has an ad deal with) and Lifted chain, and the Indian owned NJ Leaf have multiple locations already.

It’s natural to root for a Rocky-type hero to continue winning.

There are a few new chains as well, like the Dispensary of a few towns owned by a Real Housewives of New Jersey husband.

Sometimes, different owners have majority ownership in parts of the chain. In addition, some dispensaries might be partially owned by the same hustler who might have a stake in several cannabis businesses. So, they won’t seem like a chain.

MSOs partially own a few dispensaries. But they’re supposed to be majority-owned by minorities.

There will also certainly be more dispensary closings that will make some think the entire market is doomed. But their closings could help others.

More NJ Cannabis Products

More cannabis products are coming to Jersey dispensaries faster than Heady NJ can keep up.

This will likely continue with more infused edibles, vapes, creams, and hash concentrates.

Plus, more flower that is becoming increasingly affordable will be available.