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

EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ — Thursday morning will mark the first time that an Atlantic County dispensary will legally sell recreational cannabis since New Jersey began allowing adult weed use. State officials expect The Botanist in Egg Harbor Township and the handful of dispensaries entering the recreational market to become "extremely busy."

Whether you plan to buy, you're a patient prescribed medical cannabis or you're just curious about the future of the industry in New Jersey, here's what to know about The Botanist's addition of recreational sales.

When will recreational sales begin?

Thursday is the day that approved dispensaries can begin selling recreational ganja in New Jersey. So far, the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission has only approved recreational sales at 13 locations — all pre-existing medical dispensaries, including The Botanist.

The Botanist will begin adult-use sales at 10 a.m. Thursday, according to its website.

Will it get busy?

With only 13 stores selling recreational cannabis 18 months after the majority of New Jerseyans voted to legalize adult use, the state commission thinks so.

"We expect 13 locations for the entire state will make for extremely busy stores," said Jeff Brown, executive director of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission.

What does this mean for medical patients?

The state law requires medical dispensaries that expanded into the recreational market to prioritize their patients. The coming days will reveal how well the state and its approved businesses can put that into practice.

Many New Jersey patients who use medical cannabis have decried a chronic lack of supply and high prices for years. Read More: New Jersey Marijuana Patients Need Lower Prices, More Weed

But the state commission feels confident the 13 dispensaries selling recreational weed will successfully accommodate patients.

"The dispensaries have assured us that they are ready to meet the demand without disrupting patient access, and with minimal impact on the surrounding communities," Brown said, "but patience will be key to a good opening day."

Dispensaries are required to implement patient-access policies so registrants in New Jersey's Medicinal Cannabis Program don't have to wait on long lines or risk not getting their medicine. The state expects businesses to implement special lines or hours, online ordering, curbside pickup or home delivery to ensure patients get their medicine.

How much can customers get?

Recreational consumers can buy up to 1 ounce of dried flower; up to 5 grams of concentrates, resins or oils; or as many as 10 100 milligram packages of ingestible items in a single transaction.

And don't forget: customers must be 21, driving while high is illegal and so is crossing state lines with weed.

Which dispensaries will sell recreational weed?

• Apothecarium, 1865 Springfield Ave., Maplewood
• Apothecarium, 55 South Main St., Phillipsburg
• Ascend Wellness, 174 Route 17 N, Rochelle Park
• RISE, 26-48 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield
• RISE, 196 3rd Ave. #3C, Paterson
• Zen Leaf, 117 Sprint St., Elizabeth
• Zen Leaf, 3256 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Township
• The Botanist, 100 Century Dr., Egg Harbor Township
• The Botanist, 2090 N Blackhorse Pike, Williamstown
• The Cannabist/Columbia Care, 1692 Clements Bridge Rd., Deptford (5 p.m. open for recreational)
• The Cannabist/Columbia Care, 1062 North Delsea Dr., Vineland (5 p.m. open for recreational)
• Curaleaf, 640 Creek Rd., Bellmawr
• Curaleaf, 4237 Route 130 S, Edgewater Park

Will recreational dispensaries become more common?

Eventually, but not overnight. The state cannabis commission began taking applicants for retail outlets last month. It's unclear how long it may take for the commission to approve licenses or when they'll open. But typically the process takes several months.

Some New Jersey towns, such as Wayne, banned all recreational-cannabis businesses. But in towns that haven't taken such measures, you may slowly see weed businesses develop. Thursday will mark the beginning of New Jersey's legal, recreational market.