Recreational marijuana dispensary locations, rules

Welcome again to the Jersey Shore!

In case you’re an everyday summertime customer to our seashores and boardwalks, you are most likely conscious that one thing has modified because the final time you have been right here: Sure, we now have authorized weed on the market. 

Hashish is now king in New Jersey and, so long as you are over 21 years previous, you are allowed to stroll into one in every of any 13 medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the Backyard State and stroll out with marijuana. 

In truth, the hashish is relying on vacationers from different states. Hashish in New Jersey could possibly be $3 billion business, and the hundreds of thousands of potential guests residing inside just a few hours’ drive is a large motive why business executives pushed for New Jersey to beat out New York, Delaware and different mid-Atlantic states to the punch. 

So when you’re right here, relax, calm down and benefit from the, uh, fruits of our labor. 

This is what you want to learn about New Jersey authorized weed: 

The place can I purchase authorized weed? 

There are presently 13 medical marijuana dispensaries within the state which have permission to promote authorized weed for grownup use, or leisure functions.

One other 5 dispensaries lately received the required state approval, however have not formally transitioned into leisure gross sales but. 

This is the unhealthy information: There are solely two medical marijuana dispensaries truly situated inside a seaside city: The Botanist and MPX New Jersey, each in Atlantic Metropolis. However neither of these dispensaries are included within the fortunate 13 authorized to promote leisure marijuana. 

In case you’re visiting the seashores close to the southern tip of New Jersey, your greatest guess might be The Botanist in Egg Harbor Township. 

In case you’re coming from New York, you may wish to decide up your pot earlier than you get south of Union County. 

There are quite a few dispensaries situated fairly near main highways in North Jersey that you simply’re most likely utilizing to get to your Shore vacation spot. 

Ascend’s flagship dispensary in Rochelle Park is nestled between Interstate 80 and the Backyard State Parkway, and RISE Dispensaries in Bloomfield is only some miles off the Parkway.

The Apothecarium in Maplewood is close to Interstate 78, which connects with the Backyard State Parkway in Union County. 

And when you’re flying into Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport? Zen Leaf Elizabeth is lower than 4 miles down Route 9. 

So I can simply stroll in and purchase authorized weed? 

Irrespective of the place you are planning on shopping for hashish, you need to test it out forward of time. 

Each authorized weed dispensary in New Jersey has 14 hours per week designated for sufferers solely. In some circumstances, it is total days put aside completely for sufferers — so be sure to’re not going to indicate up at a date or time when you possibly can’t truly get within the retailer.

And every dispensary’s operation mannequin is completely different. Some welcome walk-ins with no questions requested, whereas some solely take clients by appointment. Others schedule appointments, however walk-ins are accepted in the event that they wait on line. 

Be sure you take a look at your chosen dispensary’s web site for all the precise info you want, together with a menu of obtainable merchandise and fee info, like if bank cards are accepted. 

How a lot does authorized weed value? 

As of Thursday, an eighth-ounce of hashish was promoting for $50 to $60, whereas lozenges — in flavors like wintergreen, bitter watermelon or cherry burst — have been round $30. 

Bear in mind: These dispensaries are purported to be serving medical marijuana sufferers, at first, so do not be shocked if some merchandise aren’t out there. 

How a lot marijuana am I allowed to purchase? 

Per state legislation, you should buy as much as 1 ounce of hashish flower, 5 grams of concentrates used for vaping or as much as 1,000 mg (10 100-mg packages) of edibles. 

However beneath state legislation, in case you have as much as 6 ounces of pot, you will not face any penalty. However a police officer can seize any quantity of hashish over 1 ounce — even when it has been legally bought. 

The place am I allowed to smoke weed? 

In New Jersey, marijuana is handled like a mix of alcohol and cigarettes — so if you cannot smoke or drink there, you possibly can’t eat marijuana. 

Not like New York, smoking marijuana in public is expressly in opposition to state legislation. Importantly, meaning no parks, boardwalks or seashores. 

And you may’t stroll right into a bar or restaurant and lightweight up, the identical means you possibly can’t smoke a cigarette in a crowded, public place. 

And similar to alcohol, you possibly can nonetheless be arrested for driving beneath the affect. Open container legal guidelines apply as effectively: You probably have an unsealed jar or bag of marijuana, it must be within the trunk of your automotive.

In case you’re renting a house for the weekend or per week when you’re on the Jersey Shore, your landlord can prohibit you from consuming marijuana on the premises — even on an out of doors patio.

So be sure to rigorously learn your lease settlement or ask your landlord’s permission earlier than you intend on getting excessive whereas renting their property. 

Can I convey leftovers house? 

New Jersey is one in every of 19 states to legalize weed for leisure functions.

However as a result of marijuana continues to be unlawful on the federal stage, crossing state strains with marijuana continues to be technically drug trafficking. It holds true even for the border between two authorized weed states, like New Jersey and New York. 

So solely purchase what you recognize you may use, or else you may be placing a really costly trash can on the curb on the finish of your keep. 

Mike Davis has spent the final decade overlaying New Jersey native information, marijuana legalization, transportation and a bit of little bit of all the pieces else. He is received just a few awards that make his mother and father very proud. Contact him at mdavis@gannettnj.com or @byMikeDavis on Twitter.