NECANN brings New Jersey cannabis convention back to Atlantic City in September

NECANN’s New Jersey Cannabis Convention and CUP Awards return to the Atlantic City Convention Center on Sept. 18-19, 2026, with more than 200 exhibitors, 35-plus sessions and an expected crowd of over 5,000 industry professionals. The event is designed to connect licensed operators, investors, job seekers and consumers as New Jersey’s cannabis market expands.

Why it matters: - The event is the state’s largest cannabis industry gathering and a major networking point for New Jersey operators, brands, regulators, investors and job seekers. - The convention also puts a spotlight on social equity, expungement support and business education as the Mid-Atlantic cannabis market continues to grow. - The New Jersey NECANN CUP gives licensed cultivators and brands a public stage to compete for industry recognition.

What happened: - NECANN will hold its New Jersey Cannabis Convention and NECANN CUP Awards at the Atlantic City Convention Center on Sept. 18-19, 2026. - The convention is returning for its seventh year in Atlantic City. - The two-day event will feature four programming tracks and more than 35 sessions. - More than 200 businesses are set to exhibit cannabis products and services. - NECANN expects more than 5,000 cannabis industry professionals to attend. - The exhibit floor will be open Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The details: - The programming lineup covers branding, cultivation, business and regulatory issues, energy efficiency, social equity opportunities and empowerment. - The New Jersey NECANN CUP is open to all licensed operators and cultivators in New Jersey. - The CUP Awards show is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday on the main stage in the exhibit hall. - The Beast Media Programming Stage will host two days of panels on policy, business, leadership and culture in the New Jersey cannabis market. - The convention will include “The Afters,” an official after-party at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall on Friday night hosted by MPX. - The after-party will offer free admission with a show badge starting at 7:10 p.m., along with live music, dabs, food, drinks and indoor-outdoor networking. - An exhibitor and licensed-attendee welcome reception is set for Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the ACCC Treehouse and will be hosted by the New Jersey Cannabis Chamber of Commerce. - A free expungement clinic will help New Jersey residents clear cannabis-related convictions from their records, with pre-registration required at advance registration. - The Accelerate New Jersey Cannabis Mixer will take place Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Treehouse, with space limited and a convention add-on ticket required. - The NECANN Women’s lounge, hosted by Blunt Brunch, will offer free programming sessions and networking activities in the exhibit hall both days. - High Rollers, the official show dispensary, will run a free shuttle to and from its retail store and consumption lounge during the convention. - The event is open to attendees 21 and older. - Ticket prices are listed at $50 to $135.

Between the lines: - NECANN is tailoring the convention to New Jersey’s market, which signals a focus on local policy, business development and consumer engagement rather than a generic trade-show format. - The mix of competitions, mixer events, expungement services and women-focused programming shows the event is trying to serve both industry insiders and broader community needs. - Shepard said the timing matters because the cannabis market is heating up in the Mid-Atlantic, creating a chance for operating and new businesses to meet consumers and promote products.

What's next: - NECANN will release programming details, the exhibitor floor map and advance ticket information online. - Attendees can expect more event logistics and session planning as Sept. 18-19 approaches. - NECANN says information for its events is available online at NECANN events.