Recreational Weed In Berkeley: Closest Place To Buy

BERKELEY, NJ — Recreational cannabis sales finally begin on Thursday for those 21 and over. And while most Ocean County municipalities have opted out, Berkeley residents can still pick up some marijuana. They just might have to travel a bit.

Berkeley officials have rejected recreational marijuana for years, just like almost every other Ocean County municipality. But don't worry. You can still check out these dispensaries, only about an hour away.

Both Zen Leaf in Lawrence and The Botanist in Egg Harbor Township are about an hour drive away, and they both will be selling recreational marijuana on Thursday.

Read More: Recreational Weed Sales In Egg Harbor Township: What You Need To Know

Other South Jersey dispensaries selling recreational cannabis, The Botanist in Williamstown and Curaleaf in Bellmawr and Edgewater Park are a bit over an hour drive away.

More will be coming in the future, as more locations are approved.

The state's Cannabis Regulatory Commission states that recreational users can purchase up to one ounce in a single transaction.

Thirteen dispensaries so far have been approved to sell adult-use cannabis products at the following locations:

• Bellmawr
• Bloomfield
• Edgewater Park
• Paterson
• Phillipsburg
• Maplewood
• Rochelle Park
• Elizabeth
• Lawrence
• Williamstown
• Egg Harbor

NJ's Cannabis Regulatory Committee Chair Dianna Houenou said that patient access and public safety remains the top priority during this new expansion into the recreational market.

"These approvals were given based on commitments from the ATCs that we would not see adverse effects with expansion," Houenou said. "Expansion into the adult-use market – with a substantial advantageous start ahead of new applicants – is a privilege that must not be taken lightly."

You can read the state's guidelines for safe and responsible marijuana consumption here.

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