Medical Cannabis Dispensary To Open In Somerset County This Fall

RARITAN, NJ — Medical marijuana has helped Sarah Trent immensely with her anxiety and sleep but finding a dispensary nearby was an issue.

"Medical patients where I live in Morris County have to drive over 45 minutes to get medicine," said Trent, a Hun School of Princeton graduate.

Trent is opening Valley Wellness at 405 Route 202 North in Raritan near the Somerville Circle. She is sharing a building with the appliance store Uneeda.

"My hope is this location in Raritan will greatly reduce travel times for patients in Somerset and Hunterdon County," said Trent.

Trent received her medical cannabis card a few years ago to help with her anxiety.

"I use it to help sleep at night. Turn off the 101 things on my list," said Trent.

However, Trent noted how convenient and easy it is to find a pharmacy around the corner or a doctor to get a prescription yet getting medical cannabis requires hurdles. Those hurdles include finding a doctor who will prescribe cannabis, paying a fee for the card, and then locating a dispensary.

"There are pharmacies around every corner... However, it is much more difficult to get medical cannabis than to get an opioid," said Trent. "It shouldn't be."

After seeing this need, Trent who worked as an attorney and public defender for seven years switched gears to focus on opening Valley Wellness. She filed for her permit in 2019 and three years later construction is well underway.

Trent is hoping to open by Nov. 1 and will initially operate as a medical cannabis dispensary only. She hopes to convert to an adult use dispensary down the line.

To follow construction updates on Valley Wellness visit valleywellnessnj.com or instagram.com/valleywellnessnj.

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