A new articulation agreement will allow Cannabis Studies students from Hudson County Community College (HCCC) to seamlessly transfer to Stockton University’s Bachelor of Science in Hemp and Cannabis Business Management program.
The highly regulated cannabis industry is one of the world’s fastest growing business sectors. The global cannabis industry – which is expected to reach more than $73 billion by 2027 – employs hundreds of thousands of people who work in cultivating, manufacturing, delivering, and the wholesale and retail sales of cannabis products. Owning, operating and supervising a cannabis business can be challenging and requires specialized business knowledge and skills.
Total cannabis sales in New Jersey (medicinal and recreational) increased 7.4% from $1.08 billion in 2024 to $1.16 billion in 2025, according to the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. There are currently about 270 dispensaries in the state. The latest cannabis jobs report done in 2025 by Vangst, a recruiting and staffing platform dedicated to the legal cannabis industry, found that New Jersey had the second highest cannabis job gains in the U.S.
The memorandum of understanding expands a 2022 articulation agreement between HCCC and Stockton to include students pursuing an Associate of Science in Business Administration degree with the Cannabis Studies Option at HCCC to transfer to Stockton’s School of Business program, which was the first Cannabis Studies undergraduate program in the state when it was launched in 2024.
“Stockton University is proud to expand our partnership with Hudson County Community College to create a clear, affordable pathway into one of today’s fastest-growing industries,” said Michael Palladino, Stockton’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
“This agreement not only streamlines the transfer process, but also ensures students are well-prepared with the specialized business knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in the evolving hemp and cannabis marketplace in New Jersey,” Palladino said. “Together, we are opening doors to meaningful career opportunities while meeting the workforce demands of this dynamic sector.”
Palladino joined HCCC Vice President for Academic Affairs Darryl Jones to sign the MOU in a ceremony at HCCC’s campus in Jersey City on April 28.
“This program-to-program agreement saves students time and tuition costs by eliminating duplication and repetition of courses, so students can earn their degrees in a seamless and more timely manner,” HCCC President Christopher Reber said. “The agreement includes conditional dual admission to Stockton for HCCC students in the first year of their studies. In addition, students will benefit from joint advising and special programs.”
The agreement also provides five one-year scholarships of $2,000 each for HCCC students.
