Dispensary Seeks Approval Near Future Competitor In Gloucester Township

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A cannabis-business applicant hit a roadblock with efforts to build a dispensary — it might be too close to another weed retailer already in the works. Williamstown Dispensary's fate could depend on the Zoning Board's interpretation of cannabis regulations.

Earlier this year, the Township Planning Board approved a proposal from Blackwood Wellness to develop a dispensary on 816 N Black Horse Pike. A business named Williamstown Dispensary, LLC wishes to build one down the road, at 834 N Black Horse Pike.

Williamstown Dispensary wants to open in the Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District. But a township ordinance prohibits cannabis retailers from opening in such zones if they're within 2,000 feet of a lot with another retail dispensary.

Blackwood Wellness's planned site, however, is currently vacant. Williamstown Dispensary contends that this regulation does not apply if the neighboring dispensary doesn't exist yet.

At Wednesday's meeting, the Gloucester Township Zoning Board is set to examine whether Williamstown Dispensary can move forward at its proposed location.

In 2021, Gloucester Township adopted a cannabis ordinance that included regulations on where such businesses can operate. One measure states that a cannabis retailer in the Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District can go "(n)o closer than 2,000 feet to a lot containing any other retail dispensary facility, as measured by the radius from the facility's main entrance."

On July 25, the Planning Board conducted a hearing on Williamstown Dispensary's application. The governing body voted to refer the matter to the Zoning Board to interpret how the township's cannabis regulations may apply.

Williamstown Dispensary contends that the measure shouldn't interfere with its application, since Blackwood Wellness hasn't been built. Thus, the nearby lot does not contain a dispensary and has no main entrance to measure toward, the applicant says.

"It is the Applicant's position that because the radius is measured from the facility's main entrance, it is clear that this distance requirement applies to existing built retail dispensary facilities," the application says.

Despite the Planning Board's approval of Blackwood Wellness, Williamtown Dispensary contends that there's no guarantee it will ever get built.

Opening a dispensary in New Jersey typically requires a series of approvals from different entities in local and state government.

The next Zoning Board meeting begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday. View the agenda and corresponding applications here.