Neptune Dispensary May Eventually Sell Recreational Marijuana

WALL, NJ — A medical marijuana dispensary with a Neptune Township location was one of seven alternative treatment centers that received tentative approval from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission to sell recreational cannabis, said the commission.

Verano, which operates medical dispensaries under the name Zen Leaf throughout the United States, was one of the listed businesses. The company said its locations in Lawrence and Elizabeth will be among the initial 13 facilities approved to sell recreational cannabis.

Zen Leaf Neptune has not yet received final zoning approval, so it is unclear when it will be able to begin selling recreationally.

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission approved applications from seven medical marijuana companies seeking to enter the recreational cannabis market on Monday. Once the companies pass inspections and are issued licenses, which could happen within a month, they will be able to conduct retail sales to the public in the approved dispensaries.

Other companies that got approvals include Acreage CCF New Jersey, Curaleaf, Columbia Care, GTI New Jersey, Ascend New Jersey, and TerrAscend. They will be able to cultivate cannabis, manufacture cannabis products and conduct retail sales to the public.

Read More: NJ Legal Marijuana Sales Could Start Soon; Board Approves Applications

On Monday, George Archos, Founder and CEO of Verano welcomed NJ's ruling and said it is a “monumental day” for the cannabis industry.

“The introduction of personal use sales will provide tremendous economic growth, tax revenue, and career opportunities for the benefit of countless New Jersey residents and businesses,” Archos said in a statement. “On behalf of Verano, we are ready to welcome personal use customers alongside our valued medical patients at our New Jersey Zen Leaf dispensaries, where our attentive staff will provide compassionate care and counsel for our visitors for years to come.”

Thank you for reading! Have a news tip, correction or comment? Email vianella.burns@patch.com. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter here.