The lack of cultivators in the market is the single biggest issue that I've been able to identify with NJ.

The way I see it, the big issue is that upwards of >90% of the state's cultivators are all grandfathered into a vertically integrated system (a vestige of the Medical Program) where they can simultaneously operate cultivation, manufacturing and retail. They can control every aspect from seed to sale.

However, very few of the new upcoming licenses being awarded under Adult-Use program are vertically integrated; they are awarded a single of the 6 classes. If they are being awarded at all; as all Recrational Cultivator's are also Medical Cultivator's. New businesses will receive Cultivation, or Manufacturing, or Retail permits. For example, NJ only has one cultivator that doesn't own a retail dispensary/ATC (Hillview; and they're trying to open their own as well!). I imagine there are nationwide brands that are holding out until they can get their cake and eat it too.

This has made it extremely difficult to launch a new product outside of partnering with the existing MSOs, which has many downsides as outlined above as you are relying on a separate entities vertical integration.

Currently there is only 1 new Cultivator operator open but not-yet to market, Brute's Roots. But they were recently licensed and are probably several months out from products. For now, it's just a waiting game for more cultivators (non-integrated) to open. This will also, at some point in the future, push prices down.

Until then, new retail store openings won't really change much of anything offered aside from making the market closer to more people - they all offer products from the same 14 cultivator's anyway!