After years of legal wrangling, New Jersey’s legal weed law was signed into effect by Governor Murphy last year, but initially only people with medical marijuana cards were allowed to purchase from dispensaries. As of last Thursday, New Jersey dispensaries are now allowed to sell recreational marijuana to adults 21 and older. So far, 13 dispensaries have been approved for recreational sales, most of these already serve as medical marijuana dispensaries. More locations will be opening up in the state.
Customers can buy up to an ounce of weed. As of now, edible treats such as cookies and brownies are not allowed, but there are ingestibles in the form of lozenges and chewable flavored edibles. Ascend New Jersey is Rochelle Park is the only one currently open in Bergen County for recreational use, however there are several dispensaries in the county that are open for medical marijuana. Some of these may expand their sales in the future.
The dispensaries currently selling recreational marijuana are:
The Botanist by CCF, Egg Harbor Township (Acreage Holdings)
The Botanist by CCF, Williamstown (Monroe), (Acreage Holdings)
Ascend New Jersey, Rochelle Park
Columbia Care, Vineland
The Cannabist, Deptford (Columbia Care)
Curaleaf, Bellmawr
Curaleaf, Edgewater Park
RISE Dispensaries, Paterson
RISE Dispensaries, Bloomfield
The Apothecarium, Maplewood (TerrAscend)
The Apothecarium, Phillipsburg (TerrAscend)
Zen Leaf, Elizabeth (Verano Holdings)
Zen Leaf, Lawrence (Verano Holdings)
Currently, 37 states have legalized medicinal sales, but only 18 (plus Washington, DC) have legalized recreational marijuana sales. New Jersey is one of the first states on the east coast to offer recreational sales. Governor Murphy projects that the sale of recreational cannabis will add $60 million per year in added state revenue. New Jersey officials add that taxes from marijuana sales will be allocated to Black and brown communities that have been disproportionately impacted by decades of marijuana criminalization.
The growing cannabis business in New Jersey also means more jobs for residents. Bruce Barcott, a Leafly senior editor and the executive producer of Leafly Reports, calculated there are currently 3,146 full-time jobs supporting $189 million in sales statewide. This is a 24% growth in sales over last year’s report, with 785 jobs added to the industry.
Starting today and tomorrow (April 26-2), NJ.com in collaboration with NJ Cannabis Insider will be hosting a Cannabis Insider Live Virtual Job Fair. You can register at https://njcannabisinsider.careerfair.live/ On the site, you will be able to upload your resume, browse exhibitor booths for new opportunities, and live chat with recruiters. Event exhibitors include, The Cannabist, Puffin, The Botanist, TerrAscend, Ascend Wellness, Longview Strategic, and others. During this two-day virtual event, recruiters will be talking with applicants interested in open positions. Live chats sessions are 9 a.m.-noon on Tuesday, April 26; and 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27. The virtual booths will remain live through May 25, allowing visitors to explore and apply to jobs at their convenience.