Recreational Pot In Howell: Closest Place To Buy

HOWELL, NJ — Recreational marijuana sales begin in the state on Thursday, April 21 for those 21 and older without a medical pot card.

Although the Howell Council passed an ordinance last year banning all marijuana-related businesses from setting up shop in Howell, the closest recreational dispensary is less than an hour away.

Read more: Howell Council Meeting Tuesday To Discuss Cannabis, Lawsuit

Lawrence (Mercer County) and Elizabeth (Union County) dispensaries will open on Thursday, just under an hour away. Zen Leaf is the brand name for the shops.

Also opening on Thursday include The Botanist Williamstown, The Botanist Egg Harbor and Curaleaf, at Bellmawr and Edgewater Park.

The state's Cannabis Regulatory Commission states that recreational users can purchase up to one ounce in a single transaction.

So far, 13 shops have been granted permission to sell adult-use cannabis products.

The following are the closest dispensary locations in Central Jersey:

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

North Jersey locations:

• 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

South Jersey locations:

• 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

NJ's Cannabis Regulatory Committee Chair Dianna Houenou said that patient access and public safety remain the top priority during this new expansion into the recreational market.

“These approvals were given based on commitments from the ATCs that we would not see adverse effects with expansion,” Houenou said. “Expansion into the adult-use market – with a substantial advantageous start ahead of new applicants – is a privilege that must not be taken lightly.”

You can read the state's guidelines for safe and responsible marijuana consumption here.

New Jersey voters approved a ballot question in November 2020 to legalize regulated marijuana sales in the state for those 21 and older.