Medical Cannabis Dispensary Breaks Ground In Freehold

FREEHOLD, NJ — NJ Leaf/Monmouth Wellness and Healing along with borough and other officials broke ground this week on the company's medical cannabis dispensary at 546 Park Ave. in the borough.

The new medical dispensary is expected to provide a new tax ratable, new jobs and a significant new revenue source to the borough once they are operating, borough officials said in a news release about the groundbreaking.

Raj Pipalia and Ritesh Shah, partners in NJ Leaf were present along with Mayor Kevin Kane and Councilwoman Annette Hawley Jordan, among other officials and business persons.

The Planning Board unanimously approved the company's application Feb. 9 and the Borough Council authorized the developer's agreement June 6, with one no vote by Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer. The company has a license to dispense medical cannabis, not retail sales.

The 3,375 square-foot dispensary is a permitted use in the B2B zone and met proximity requirements, such as being more than 250 feet to a child care facility (the closest is a mile away) and 500 feet away from school, university or place of higher leaning (the closest is half mile) and the project complies with setbacks and coverage requirements. Although it has 27 rather than 34 parking spaces, parking was considered adequate, according to the Planning Board minutes.

Shah, a pharmacist, testified at the Planning Board meeting that he has researched the medical benefits of cannabis: "I have a family member that needs and has inspired me; there is controversy, how it is classified and regulated, but medical use, it is needed," he said, according to the minutes.