Now they’re getting their wish as the first medicinal marijuana shop has opened in town just days after state officials approved what will be the borough’s first recreational, or adult use, dispensary.
“The people of the community voted overwhelmingly for the sale of recreational marijuana, we are only following the will of the people,” said Borough Administrator Steve Gallo. “These are tightly controlled businesses, serious regulations and we don’t anticipate any problems.”
NJ Leaf, which opened March 15 at 546 Park Ave., is licensed as a medicinal marijuana location. But Gallo expects the owners to seek a broader, retail license.
“We are proud to be able to provide safe, legal access to medical cannabis for those in need. This project is very close to my heart - a lot of sacrifice went into this,” NJ Leaf CEO Ritesh Shah said at the recent opening. “I promise we won’t let you down and we will prove with our work that you have chosen a responsible partner.”
That opening occurred just a week after the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission granted state approval to Goldfinch Retail LLC, which is planning to open a recreational dispensary less than a block away at 620 Park Ave.