Medical cannabis dispensaries have been open to qualified patients in New Jersey since December of 2012. However, it wasn't until December of 2018 that the New Jersey state Department of Health established six medical marijuana dispensaries to have up and running in its program. It also planned for New Jersey to have 12 dispensaries across the state. Gov. Phil Murphy has called for a large expansion of the medical marijuana program and his administration took steps to immediately grow the program.
Hopatcong has been faced with challenges in finding a thriving community business industry to grow and remain in Hopatcong. Ray Foods the new produce market hadn't gotten the growth it needed to keep its doors open and informed its customers it would be closing before summer's end. Sadly, it was the only produce market in the borough of 14,298 residents. Many felt the produce market fulfilled a very central need to the community and sees its closure as a noticeable loss.
Hopatcong recently listened to Andrew Wagner, head of operations for Bloom Medicinal who expressed an interest in opening a medical cannabis dispensary in the borough. Bloom Medicinal operates in 3 different States. They receive their product from state-licensed cultivators, and that product is independently tested by a third party before sale to the patients. He believes the Ray Foods space would accommodate their needs.