Another medical cannabis dispensary opens as N.J. gets closer to legal weed sales

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Another medical marijuana dispensary opened in New Jersey on Friday – this time in a city ready to start selling cannabis to anyone aged 21 and over.

Zen Leaf opened its third New Jersey pharmacy on Route 1 near Quakerbridge Mall in Lawrence. It’s the first to open in the Trenton area, with the nearest pharmacy in Cranbury almost half an hour away.

The elegant storefront has large television screens that display the names of various varieties such as G6, Sunshine OG and Motorbreath. It sells marijuana flowers, pre-rolls, vape cartridges, edibles, tinctures, and shakes.

All of the state’s 19 pharmacies are initially for medical use only. But they will likely get their first chance to sell in the legal market aged 21 and over once they prove they have enough cannabis to keep up with demand.

“We have experience in multiple states,” expanding from medical to recreational applications, said Anthony Marsico, Verano’s executive vice president. “We always prioritize our patients.”

He said the pharmacy will stock varieties and products that patients prefer and have separate queues for medical and recreational purchases so they can quickly walk through the store.

Many communities have yet to decide whether to allow the sale, cultivation, and processing of cannabis, and dozens have already enacted ordinances prohibiting it. Cities and municipalities have until August 21st to enact regulations that allow, restrict or prohibit cannabis deals within their borders.

Local officials have asked the regulators for guidance on how to proceed, but the Cannabis Regulatory Commission is still working on its rules and regulations and the commission’s public recommendations have been limited.

Jim Kownacki, the mayor of Lawrence, said the community needs to do its own research and has little guidance from the state, but started moving forward years ago. He said Lawrence residents voted 71-29 percent to legalize weed, so the need to enable sales was obvious.

But they’re still finalizing their rules and will be reviewing a regulation next week that would restrict cannabis companies to the city’s business district.

The pharmacy has already hired around 30 employees in jobs that are paid “well above the minimum wage,” said Marsico. They have no plans to add a convenience lounge to any of their New Jersey pharmacies, but they will offer delivery once the state has regulations.

Zen Leaf is owned by Verano, a Chicago-based company. The Lawrence Pharmacy is the 78th opening.

“Maximizing our presence in New Jersey with Zen Leaf Lawrence comes at an exciting time,” said George Archos, founder and CEO of Verano, in a statement. “New Jersey has the potential to become one of the top cannabis markets on the East Coast as an adult consumption law was passed earlier this year. For the patients in New Jersey, and ultimately the adult used consumers, we are excited to open our third Zen Leaf pharmacy and add additional coverage to the market. “

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Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj.