New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy Gets His Own Cannabis Strain
Published June 3, 2024
Phil Murphy became the namesake of a new cannabis strain after visiting Prolific Growhouse, a Black-owned cannabis cultivation company based in Mount Holly, New Jersey.
The company unveiled Murphy’s Sourz, a sativa strain created as a tribute to the governor who legalized adult-use cannabis in New Jersey in 2021.
“Murphy’s Sourz”
According to Prolific Growhouse, Murphy’s Sourz is a cross between Sour OG and Tangie genetics.
The company described the strain as:
Sour lemon forward
Sweet tangerine notes
Pine undertones
Diesel aroma
Prolific Growhouse said the strain was designed to balance uplifting euphoria with calming relaxation.
Governor Visits Prolific Growhouse
During a recent tour of the cultivation facility, Governor Murphy said he was “honored” to have a cannabis strain named after him.
The visit highlighted the administration’s continued emphasis on diversity and social equity within New Jersey’s cannabis industry.
David Nicolas explained that the company originally created the strain in hopes of getting the governor’s attention.
“We were like, ‘Let’s try to get Governor Murphy’s attention with this one,’” Nicolas said. “I didn’t expect him to give me a surprise visit.”
Murphy praised the company and its founder during the visit.
“Entrepreneurs like David Nicolas give me hope that we can build a strong and diverse industry that reverses some of the worst effects of the War on Drugs,” Murphy said.
Equity and “Legacy-to-Legal”
Prolific Growhouse has positioned itself as part of New Jersey’s “legacy-to-legal” cannabis movement — businesses founded by individuals who were previously impacted by cannabis prohibition before transitioning into the regulated market.
The company says it is focused on:
Social equity initiatives
Community investment
Creating opportunities for individuals affected by prior cannabis convictions
Murphy also acknowledged that more work remains in expanding equity within the industry.
“I still want to see more equity, more reward and redemption for the folks who were crushed by the war on drugs.”
New Jersey’s Cannabis Market Continues Growing
Since legalization passed in 2021:
Nearly 2,000 cannabis licenses have reportedly been issued statewide
Roughly 70% have gone to diversely owned businesses
Cannabis sales exceeded $201 million during the first quarter of 2024 alone
According to the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, first-quarter sales represented a 38% increase compared to the same period the previous year.
The rapid expansion has positioned New Jersey as one of the fastest-growing cannabis markets on the East Coast.
Cannabis Legalization Across the U.S.
New Jersey became the 14th U.S. state to legalize recreational cannabis. Since then, several additional states — including Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota and Ohio — have also approved adult-use legalization.
Although cannabis remains federally illegal, national discussions around decriminalization and federal reform continue to evolve as more states establish regulated cannabis markets.