The launch of New Jersey’s long-awaited adult-use cannabis market is set for April 21, Gov. Phil Murphy announced April 14 on Twitter.
“Starting on April 21st, adults ages 21+ will be able to legally purchase cannabis and cannabis products without a medical card,” Murphy tweeted. “This is a historic step in our work to create a new cannabis industry.”
Murphy’s announcement came just three days after the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) approved seven medical cannabis dispensaries to serve the adult-use market.
Those seven retailers—Acreage, Curaleaf, Columbia Care, Verano, Ascend Wellness, GTI and TerrAscend—had to agree that the surge of adult-use customers would not interrupt access for medical cannabis patients, according to the Associated Press, and they must reserve parking spaces and maintain operating hours specifically for patients.