As more and more towns say no to legalized marijuana, is Asbury Park poised to become the legal weed capital of New Jersey?
It could turn out that way.
Asbury Park is one of only two cities in New Jersey where officials have talked openly about the opportunities associated with opening a legal weed dispensary. That enthusiasm — coupled with the city's location and reputation — could turn the City by the Sea into one of the state's epicenters for legal weed, New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association President Hugh O’Beirne said.
The city has a “natural advantage” with its location, a relatively northern Jersey Shore destination with a much easier ride for travelers from North Jersey and New York, O'Beirne said. The town of less than two square miles has a population of 16,000 people.
Further, it’s already a “cultural destination” that is drawing marijuana users – just without a legal place for them to purchase weed. In its 2017 Cannabis Attitudes Survey, New Frontier Data reported that 22 percent of respondents nationwide said they'd be more interested in visiting a state with legal weed.
