Gov. Murphy 'Honored' As NJ Black-Owned Cannabis Cultivator Names Strain After Him

Gov. Phil Murphy (D) paid a surprise visit to a Black-owned New Jersey cannabis cultivator, Prolific Growhouse where he too had a surprise waiting for him.

Upon arrival to the facility, Murphy was handed a promotional flier for a new cannabis strain created just for the governor, "Murphy's Sourz," which is described as a "delightful mix of sour lemon, sweet tangerine, with hints of diesel and pine."

David Nicolas, CEO of Prolific Growhouse, told WHYY that he was hoping to catch the governor's attention by producing the strain with his namesake. "We were like, ‘Let's try to get Governor Murphy's attention with this one.’ I didn't expect him to give me a surprise visit."

Murphy seemed equally delighted. "I'm honored," the governor said, as he posed for a photo with the flier in hand.

Gov. Phil Murphy with flier promoting "Murphy's Sourz," a strain of cannabis named after him, produced by Prolific Growhouse. (Edwin Torres/N.J. Governor's Office)

Push For Diversity

The governor's visit to a Black-owned cultivator comes amid a push for more diversity in the industry and to showcase his administration's efforts to ensure the state's cannabis industry is equitable.

During the tour of the cannabis cultivation facility, Murphy said he wanted to build upon the state's legalization law to provide "more equity, more reward and redemption" for people impacted by cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs.

New Jersey voters overwhelmingly approved legalizing recreational marijuana in November 2020; retail sales got underway in April 2022.

It's now been several years since the first licenses for growers were awarded. To date, 1,943 licenses have been approved by the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission, according to state officials. The majority of them, 70%, have been awarded to "diversely-owned" businesses. There are 115 adult-use businesses in operation, including 13 cultivators.

Murphy says the state can do better.

"I still want to see… more equity, more reward and redemption for the folks who were crushed by the war on drugs," Gov. Murphy said.

New Jersey Vs. New York

Now some are asking whether New Jersey is the next cannabis capital and if it will soon overtake neighboring New York state. That topic will surely be discussed at the upcoming Benzinga New Jersey Spotlight scheduled for June 17, 2024, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center in New Jersey.

The Garden State, with its burgeoning cannabis market, will be the primary focus, but the event is also drawing interest from neighboring states like New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. This regional gathering is more than just a networking opportunity, it's an arena where significant business relationships and future strategies for the cannabis industry are forged. Get your tickets here.

Now read: How 3 Chilean Brothers Built A Global Cannabis Platform Embraced By Big Sponsors Like Adidas And Crocs

Lead photo of Gov Murphy and Prolific Growhouse’s CEO David Nicolas by Edwin Torres/N.J. Governor's Office