New Jersey's weed-friendly political climate is also luring prospective growers like Ohio-based Galenas LLC. The company's president, Geoff Korff, hopes to lease property from Gloucester Township.
"Under Gov. (Phil) Murphy, we’ve seen a new rejuvenation and renewed interest in the industry in getting medical cannabis to patients that need it," said Korff, an attorney whose company is building a cultivation facility in Ohio. "The political winds indicated to us the timing is right for us to take a serious look at the state."
David Rosen of Chicago, a Democratic fundraiser, heads Waveseer, a marijuana producer now seeking a license in South Jersey. Already operating in Nevada, Oregon and Maryland, Rosen leaned on his political experience to find a welcome mat in Atlantic County's Buena Borough.
"In many areas, there’s lots of strong feelings about this," Rosen acknowledged. An elected official who offers a letter of recommendation for an "alternative treatment center" applicant, he added, "shows they’re putting the town or municipality first above their re-election chances. It’s a brave position to take, and hopefully they’ll be rewarded for it."