New Jersey's Medical Cannabis Program Has Lost Two of Every Three Patients

New Jersey's medical cannabis program peaked at 129,369 patients in May 2022. By September 2026 it had 42,984, after 52 straight monthly declines. Medical sales fell from $226.1M (2022) to $46.2M (2025).

We run the math on buying 1.5 ounces a month with and without a medical card: at June 2026 prices the card, with its doctor's certification, costs $159 to $204 more a year. The doctor's fee alone would buy 17 to 23 grams of flower.

Full story, tables and sources: https://newyork420week.com

Reporting by Greg Silverstein for New York 420 Week.
Instagram: @newyork420week · @sourcatjack

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:29 The patient curve
1:04 The numbers
1:31 Cheaper on the shelf
1:57 The net cost of a card
2:25 The price flipped
2:48 The math: card vs. no card
3:33 Spend the doctor fee on cannabis
3:54 From savings to a cost
4:26 Fine print
4:53 Access got harder
5:20 The missing report
5:45 Numbers that don't match
6:07 Bottom line

METHOD
Figures come from NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission resolutions, public-meeting decks (Metrc) and Treasury-certified sales and tax tables; the statute is N.J.S.A. 54:47F-1. Calculations are ours. The view that net price and affordable, accessible quality drive customers' choices is New York 420 Week's analysis.