According to the ordinance passed, the city has designated zoning to allow for cannabis retail, manufacturing, cultivation, cultivation, distribution and wholesaling. All locations must have the proper corresponding license to operate.
Cannabis retail locations can also have consumption areas on the property. According to the ordinance, consumption areas can only offer products from the retailer and no outside products are allowed. The area also must be separated from the retail space, either in a different section of the building or location on the property. Heady NJ reports that Elizabeth is the seventh location in New Jersey to approve cannabis consumption areas.
The city has several rules for retailers hoping to operate in Elizabeth. Retail spaces can only be located on the first floor of the building with a minimum gross floor area of 1,000 square feet. Locations are required to provide one parking space for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area as well. Retail locations can operate between 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. Signage for these locations cannot have language or images referring to “marijuana” and are not permitted to display any brand names the store sells or advertisements.