GTBIF - New Jersey's Winners For Adult Use Sales
With the news that New Jersey was finally approving some cannabis companies to begin selling adult-use cannabis, investors began salivating over who would triumph. Cannabis stocks have been in a decidedly long bear market causing investors to lose great sums of money (on paper at least). As the process to begin these sales went through a series of starts and stops, the companies along with the investors were getting frustrated. It’s incredibly difficult for a retailer to make staffing and inventory decisions when you have no clue as to when you when need either. Investors wanted to know who would reap the benefits of those sales and when it could be reflected in earnings releases.
Potential Market
Headset.io has predicted that the first full year of sales in New Jersey could bring in $740 million in sales. The company went on to write that New Jersey , with its adult-use transition expected in March 2022 , is projected to boast a 21+ population of 7 million that will produce $1.6 billion in sales by 2025.
A Rutgers report wrote, “We estimate that New Jersey would collect between $118.2 million and $173.5 million per year after recreational marijuana is legalized and when the market is fully saturated.”
Acreage Holdings (OTC: ACRHF) said during its last earnings announcement that it increased cultivation capacity output nearly fourfold at the Egg Harbor facility in New Jersey to support the company’s own retail network and the rapidly growing wholesale market ahead of the launch of the adult-use sales. These are its approved locations and while the Atlantic City store wasn’t approved in the first round, it’s expected to happen eventually.
- The Botanist by CCF , Egg Harbor Township
- The Botanist by CCF, Williamstown (Monroe)
Curaleaf (CURLF) has three locations in New Jersey, but so far just two have been approved in the first round.
- Curaleaf , Bellmawr
- Curaleaf , Edgewater Park
TerrAscend (OTC: TRSSF has been also gearing up for the state to go legal. The company said that cash used in operations was $3.8 million for the three months ending in December 2021 , mainly driven by an increase in inventory related to the anticipated start of adult-use sales in New Jersey . In the last earnings announcement, Executive Chairman Jason Wild , commented, “The strategic decisions we made in Pennsylvania have resulted in the highest quality product we have ever sold in this market. Additionally, the actions undertaken in New Jersey have our team prepared for adult use, where we have one of the largest cultivation footprints in the state, along with three ideal dispensary locations.”
- The Apothecarium , Maplewood
- The Apothecarium , Phillipsburg
Verano’s (VRNOF) New Jersey footprint consists of three cannabis dispensaries operated under the flagship Zen Leaf brand in Elizabeth (117 Spring St), Lawrence Township (3256 Brunswick Pike), and Neptune Township (2100 Route 66), along with a 120,000 square foot cultivation and processing facility in Branchburg. Darren Weiss, Verano Chief Operating Officer, and General Counsel said, “The approval of personal use cannabis marks a huge step forward for New Jersey, the cannabis industry, and the nation at large. On behalf of our Verano New Jersey team, we look forward to welcoming personal use visitors to our Zen Leaf dispensaries.”
- Zen Leaf , Elizabeth
- Zen Leaf , Lawrence
Green Thumb Industries (OTC: GTBIF) must be thrilled that one of its approved dispensaries is just a 30-minute drive from New York City. The company had two locations approved, while the Paramus store will continue serving medical-only patients.
- RISE Dispensaries , Paterson
- RISE Dispensaries , Bloomfield
Columbia Care’s (OTC: CCHWF) outlook for revenue in 2022 included sales that it hoped would come from New Jersey. The company forecast $625-$675 million in sales for the year and specifically called out New Jersey as contributing to that estimate. Col-Care also had two locations approved.
- Columbia Care , Vineland
- The Cannabist , Deptford (Columbia Care)
Ascend Wellness (OTC: AAWH) was also thrilled to get at least one location in the first group to begin sales. The company tweeted, “We are thrilled to announce that we are among the first cannabis companies permitted to sell adult-use cannabis in the State of New Jersey. We look forward to opening our doors to 21+ customers. Stay tuned.” The company currently operates two of the state’s 23 medical dispensaries and expects to sell adult-use cannabis products at its Montclair retail location at 395 Bloomfield Ave. and open a third dispensary, located in Fort Lee , later this year.
- Ascend New Jersey , Rochelle Park