New Keansburg Marijuana Dispensary Opens Thursday

KEANSBURG, NJ — The new Keansburg marijuana dispensary will have its grand opening Thursday.

The dispensary is called NJ Leaf and it's located at 77 Rt. 36.

This is the nearest marijuana dispensary to Middletown, as there are no pot shops within Middletown Township limits.

While they had a soft opening Dec. 21, they will have their grand opening and ribbon cutting at noon Thursday, and two state senators from Monmouth County, Declan O'Scanlon (Republican) and Vin Gopal (Democrat) will be at the grand opening. All are welcome to attend, but it is a 21+ event. They will have games, pop-ups, food trucks, music and giveaways.

The dispensary is owned by Ritesh Shah, a licensed pharmacist and local Keansburg businessman. Shah also owns an existing marijuana dispensary on Park Avenue in Freehold borough, also called NJ Leaf.

Shah used to own Drugsmart Pharmacy at 300 Main Street in Keansburg, but said he no longer owns it. He still owns the building that houses it. He owns multiple other pharmacies across Monmouth County, and also owns multiple commercial properties in Keansburg. He is a part owner of the bay-front building in Keansburg that used to house the now-closed Beach Gallery bar and restaurant; the people who ran that restaurant are currently under investigation by the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).