Five new medical marijuana-grow businesses are coming to Central New Jersey — but it's currently unknown which towns they will open in.
Last Friday, Oct. 15, the state's Cannabis Regulatory Commission granted licenses to a total of 10 new marijuana cultivation businesses to grow marijuana for medical use only: Three will open in North Jersey, five will open in Central Jersey and two were approved for South Jersey.
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.
The site would be on Lakeside Blvd. in the building just vacated by Rays Foods. Which once held a Pharmacy called Westshore 30-years ago, and would mean automatic approval for a Medical Marijuana according to Mayor Francis and Attorney William Haggerty, ESQ.
Attorney William Haggerty confirmed from the census of the Board that this would be a permitted use within a B2 zone. Site plan analysis, including parking and signage, would be required.