Medical marijuana dispensary to open today in Neptune Township

Medical marijuana card holders on the Jersey Shore now have another option to purchase legal weed.

The state’s newest store is slated to open on Route 66 in Neptune Township.

Just a few months ago, Smashburger closed the store and Zen Leaf saw an opportunity and quickly moved in to transform the place from burgers to marijuana, hoping to join the upcoming recreational sale.

Anthony Marsico, executive vice president of Zen Leaf, says Neptune Township is one of the few communities on the Jersey coast that allows medical marijuana.

He looks forward to working with the city and revitalizing the previously vacant retail space.

Marsico says the location will be vital to the supply of medical marijuana to people in the Monmouth and Ocean area, which they believe is underserved when it comes to medical marijuana.

He credits the city council and mayor with passing a responsible ordinance, adding that they will be ready to serve recreational marijuana once Governor Phil Murphy approves the legislation to make it legal.