Closest Places To Long Branch To Buy Recreational Marijuana

LONG BRANCH, NJ — Love it, hate it or indifferent, starting Thursday, April 21, one can now legally buy recreational marijuana in the state of New Jersey.

But only at the following 13 designated stores. All 13 stores already sold medical pot, but have now been approved by the state to sell recreational pot, as well. The Eatontown store on Rt. 35, near Fort Monmouth, did not make the list, nor did Zen Leaf on the Rt. 66/35 circle in Neptune. Both still only sell medical pot.

In the November 2020 election, 67 percent of NJ residents (2.7 million people) voted to legalize marijuana in the state. 1.3 million (32 percent) voted against the idea.

Where to buy recreational marijuana legally in North Jersey:

• Apothecarium, 1865 Springfield, Avenue, Maplewood
• Apothecarium, 55 South Main Street, Phillipsburg
• Ascend Wellness, 174 Route 17 North, Rochelle Park
• RISE, 26-48 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield
• RISE, 196 3rd Avenue, #3C, Paterson

Central Jersey:

• Zen Leaf, 117 Sprint Street, Elizabeth
• Zen Leaf, 3256 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Township

South Jersey:

• The Botanist, 100 Century Drive, Egg Harbor Township
• The Botanist, 2090 N Blackhorse Pike, Williamstown
• The Cannabist/Columbia Care, 1692 Clements Bridge Road, Deptford – 5 PM Open for recreational
• The Cannabist/Columbia Care, 1062 North Delsea Drive, Vineland – 5 PM Open for recreational
• Curaleaf, 640 Creek Road, Bellmawr
• Curaleaf, 4237 US-130 South, Edgewater Park

Recreational cannabis customers will be able to buy up to one ounce of dried flower or up to five grams of concentrates, resins, or oils, or 10 100mg packages of ingestible items in a single transaction.

The state cautions people to expect long lines at these stores on "opening day."

“We expect 13 locations for the entire state will make for extremely busy stores,” said Jeff Brown, executive director of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. “The dispensaries have assured us that they are ready to meet the demand without disrupting patient access, and with minimal impact on the surrounding communities, but patience will be key to a good opening day.”

“We encourage everyone to be safe – buy only from licensed dispensaries and start low and go slow. Remember that the laws against impaired driving apply to being high,” cautioned Brown. “Our guests from neighboring states should remember it is illegal to transport cannabis across state lines.”

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