A year ago, ZenLeaf in Elizabeth was one of 13 dispensaries that officially opened for recreational marijuana sales in New Jersey. Since then, sales have been nonstop, according to general manager Sonny Achrekar. “We’re always get new people in and now that the weather is getting better, we’re going to get all the people flying in because we get all the airport traffic. So it’s just consistent,” he said.
There are now 25 dispensaries selling recreational cannabis across the state, all of which were initially medical dispensaries before the Cannabis Regulatory Commission approved their expansion into the adult-use market. That’s a major concern for some, since social-equity applicants and those impacted by the criminalization of marijuana were supposed to be prioritized in the development of a cannabis industry in New Jersey.
Another issue for many small applicants to become part of the industry is funding. The Economic Development Authority is now offering grants of $250,000 to help cover the cost of legal fees and other expenses related to getting into the industry.