Prior to the enaction of the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, & Marketplace Modernization Act in February, dozens of New Jersey towns had local ordinances prohibiting cannabis businesses from setting up shop in their town, and others, like Jersey City and Asbury Park, were openly hospitable and welcoming to them.
Robert DiPisa, who co-chairs the cannabis practice at Cole Schotz, recommends that interested dispensary or grow operators approach town administrations that were previously against it or aren’t yet known as cannabis business-friendly because competition for licenses likely won’t be as hot there.
“You have to imagine there’s going to be more applications” in towns that have been pro-cannabis,” he explained. “The state wants to do diversification, all throughout the state…There’s certainly some sleeper municipalities…do your due diligence, don’t just flock to those overly welcoming cities.”