The State of New Jersey legalized personal-use cannabis in 2021 and has been busy licensing businesses and launching this new market.
Despite some early delays, the 2022 MJBiz Factbook projects that the New Jersey adult-use cannabis market will generate between $625 million and $775 million in retail sales this year and will grow to between $2 billion and $2.4 billion by 2026.Like other established markets, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC), New Jersey’s regulatory authority for the state’s cannabis program, has created a framework for retailers that includes guidelines that impact dispensary design. Though New Jersey’s regulations do not define specific design rules, there are many important security and compliance considerations to note when designing a dispensary. Additionally, when designing the first dispensary for a brand, it is vital to pull best practices from other proven markets to ensure the design is functional for the store’s operations and curates a positive shopping experience for the customer.
Licensing & Compliance
During the licensing process in New Jersey, prospective dispensary operators are required to submit a floor plan for regulatory approval. Though licensing remains open on a rolling basis, if submitted floor plans are not compliant with state and local law, the application will be denied. While licensees can resubmit, their application will be sent to the back of the line, and it may be months or years before the CRC reviews the application again. For this reason, it is crucial for prospective operators to consult with an experienced dispensary design team during licensing to avoid lengthy delays and increased costs.
The dispensary’s ability to control access to cannabis on the premises is a major consideration for the CRC when reviewing applicant floor plan designs. In addition to ensuring a portion of the floor plan is reserved for a secure storage room in an area that is not accessible to customers, space should be designated on the floor plan design for an ID checkpoint. This prevents customers from entering the retail area until their identification cards have been verified and guarantees that the dispensary maintains control over access to cannabis on the premises.
While compliance is a crucial aspect of dispensary design, understanding the identity of the store and target customer are also important considerations. Dispensary operators will likely face competition from other new cannabis retailers as everyone vies for the same shares of the emerging market. Since all must adhere to the strict security standards and regulations, it is up to each dispensary to design a compliant location that builds customer loyalty and sets itself apart from competition.
Shopping Experience & Brand Design
One of the greatest regulatory considerations when designing a dispensary in New Jersey is the CRC requirement that cannabis may not be visible from the exterior of the building. For dispensaries opting for welcoming glass storefronts, it can be challenging to ensure that cannabis inside the store is not visible through the front windows.
Since most dispensaries prefer to have cannabis products available for customer view while shopping like traditional retailers, some dispensaries design their locations with reception areas or lobbies. In addition to preventing cannabis from being visible from the exterior, these designated areas also serve as a security checkpoint to verify identification cards and regulate capacity.
Another solution is the use of recessed display cases that allow customers to see products while preventing their view from outside the store. Inset fixtures, like those offered within The Module System by SevenPoint Interiors, allow cannabis to be seen from directly above the display while obscuring the view from the side. These pre-engineered fixtures provide multiple options for New Jersey compliant cannabis displays. Each design option effects the customer’s shopping experience and path through the dispensary, so operators should be mindful about the target demographic and the brand identity they are curating. Though a lobby may be the most secure option, other solutions offer a more traditional retail feel and may be preferred by customers. Regardless of choice, working with an experienced design team ensures the New Jersey dispensary design is compliant, reflective of the unique brand, and appealing to customers.
Why Choose SevenPoint Interiors?
SevenPoint Interiors’ is a premium retail design and manufacturing company specifically designated to the cannabis space -serving as a one-stop-resource by providing turnkey solutions to elevate the cannabis industry through retail design, for an enhanced shopping experience. Founded in 2017, as a division of Visual Elements Manufacturing -a leading retail design and manufacturing creative agency based in Toronto, Canada working on projects globally -SevenPoint Interiors is focused on enhancing the cannabis experience for patients and dispensary owners. With vertically integrated solutions, state-of-the-art commercial-grade equipment with manufacturing capabilities to execute custom fabrication and specialty finishes, the firm has strategically placed itself in a position to support multiple types of clients and retail projects inclusive to all budgets.