Neptune’s Garden, a family-owned cannabis cultivator based in Neptune Township, has emerged as South Jersey’s first licensed recreational marijuana grow facility. With a commitment to organic farming and community engagement, the company is supplying premium cannabis products to local dispensaries and contributing to the region’s economic growth.
Organic Cultivation with Community Roots
Founded by a mother-and-son team, Neptune’s Garden emphasizes sustainable practices, including soil-based cultivation and the use of compost teas instead of synthetic fertilizers. This approach not only enhances the quality of their cannabis but also reflects their dedication to environmental responsibility and local stewardship. By using organic growing methods, Neptune’s Garden positions itself as a craft cannabis brand with a strong identity rooted in sustainability and health-conscious production.
Supplying Local Dispensaries
Neptune’s Garden products are already being stocked by a growing list of New Jersey dispensaries, including those in Lambertville, Princeton, and Trenton. By focusing distribution on independent and minority-owned dispensaries, the company reinforces its mission to uplift small businesses within the cannabis ecosystem. Their flower strains, pre-rolls, and packaged products are gaining recognition among both recreational users and medical patients seeking high-quality, locally grown options.
Economic Impact on South Jersey
The arrival of Neptune’s Garden marks a milestone for South Jersey’s participation in the state’s legal cannabis industry. New Jersey’s cannabis market exceeded $1 billion in sales in 2024 alone, and the inclusion of more cultivators in the southern region means more localized revenue, job creation, and investment. Neptune’s Garden is expected to create new jobs in horticulture, packaging, and distribution—many of which are being filled by local residents.
The economic ripple effect extends beyond the grow facility itself. Local vendors, agricultural supply companies, HVAC and lighting contractors, and logistics firms are all seeing new business from cannabis operators like Neptune’s Garden. Additionally, the presence of a cultivator in the area encourages tourism and retail traffic, particularly as cannabis dispensaries become destination locations.
Fostering Equity and Sustainability
Neptune’s Garden’s operation also supports the goals of New Jersey’s cannabis equity programs, designed to lower barriers of entry for small business owners, women, and people of color. As a homegrown business focused on community and environmental values, the company is a model for the type of socially responsible operators state regulators hoped to empower through legislation.
By aligning with programs that offer grants and operational support for new market entrants, Neptune’s Garden is part of a broader movement that seeks to diversify the state’s cannabis landscape while delivering economic opportunity where it’s needed most.
Looking Ahead
Neptune’s Garden is more than just South Jersey’s first recreational grower—it represents a growing shift toward local, sustainable, and community-minded cannabis operations. With eyes on continued expansion and more retail partnerships, the company is setting the tone for what cultivation can look like in New Jersey’s next chapter of legalization.