New Jersey's cannabis market presents a dynamic landscape for entrepreneurs looking to enter the essential cannabis testing sector. New Jersey legalized medical cannabis in 2010 with the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, and adult-use cannabis was legalized through a voter-approved referendum in November 2020, with retail sales beginning in April 2022.

The state's Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) actively licenses and oversees independent testing laboratories, mandating strict adherence to ISO 17025 standards to ensure product safety and quality for both medical and recreational consumers. These labs are crucial for testing various cannabis products for potency (cannabinoids and terpenes), microbial contamination, mycotoxins, pesticides, residual solvents, heavy metals, and other additives. The CRC also regularly updates its testing guidelines, including recent changes to batch sizes and labeling requirements for a more comprehensive cannabinoid profile.