As New Jersey’s cannabis industry blossoms, a cadre of determined women entrepreneurs is emerging at the forefront—reshaping cultivation and dispensary operations with innovation, equity, and community at their core.
Lori Dowling – Sussex Cultivation & Onyx Brand
Lori Dowling leads Sussex Cultivation, a women- and family-owned venture that unveiled a state-of-the-art processing facility in Vernon in March 2024. The indoor facility, equipped with solvent-less and hydrocarbon processing and initially boasting 2,000 square feet of indoor canopy—poised to scale up to 30,000 square feet—also launched the Onyx brand, dedicated to premium, sustainable products and cooperative support for other businesses.
Suzan Nickelson – Holistic Solutions Dispensary
In February 2023, Suzan Nickelson broke important ground as the first Black woman majority owner and operator of a medical cannabis dispensary in New Jersey. Her venture, Holistic Solutions, located in Atco, prides itself on compassionate care—including private consultations, drive-thru service, and retail access to BIPOC-owned brands like But-A-Cake and Miss Grass.
Francesca DeRogatis, Amanda Rositano & Katie Covett – Nightjar Dispensary
A collaborative force, these three women spearhead Nightjar, a woman- and minority-owned dispensary in Bloomfield designed to destigmatize cannabis through a hospitality-oriented approach. Their welcoming atmosphere features curated product selections and knowledgeable budtenders aiming to reshape public perception one informed purchase at a time.
Dr. Jessy Vikani – Nirvana Dispensary
Dr. Jessy Vikani—a licensed pharmacist—stands out in a male-dominated landscape with Nirvana, a high-end dispensary in Mt. Laurel. Her medical expertise infuses the operation with elevated standards of professionalism and consumer education.
Industry-Wide Context and Momentum
New Jersey’s cannabis ecosystem is not just growing—it’s striving for equitable inclusion. Since legalization in 2021 and the launch of adult-use sales in April 2022, the state has issued around 1,600 cannabis licenses. Of these, over 400 are majority women-owned ventures. Among more than 100 dispensaries across 81 companies, 39 are women-majority-owned.
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC), led by Chairwoman Dianna Houenou alongside Commissioners Krista Nash and Maria Del Cid-Kosso, emphasizes social equity in policymaking—prioritizing licenses for women, minorities, and individuals impacted by the War on Drugs.
Moreover, the state’s flourishing market—reaching $800 million in sales in 2023 and projected to surpass $1 billion in 2024—provides both opportunity and urgency for women business leaders to innovate and scale.
In Review
These entrepreneurs demonstrate how women are not just participating in New Jersey’s cannabis industry—they are leading it:
- Lori Dowling drives cultivation innovation and brand development.
- Suzan Nickelson pioneers inclusion and compassionate access.
- Francesca DeRogatis, Amanda Rositano, and Katie Covett transform retail through hospitality and destigmatization.
- Dr. Jessy Vikani elevates professionalism with clinical insight.
Together, they underscore how women are critical agents of equity, growth, and change in New Jersey’s fast-evolving cannabis landscape.