Weed Dispensaries In Morristown: 6 Apply, But Only 2 Can Get Approved

Update, April 21: Morristown officials sent corrected information that Tangerine Tree Dispensary LLC proposed 158 Morris St. for its location, not 153 Morris St.

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Six businesses want to open a cannabis dispensary in Morristown. But under town rules, only up to two can succeed.

The town accepted applications from March 30 to Wednesday from those who want to open local medical and/or recreational weed establishments. The Morristown Cannabis Advisory Board will review applications over the next few weeks before making recommendations to the Town Council, according to Morristown Business Administrator Jillian C. Barrick.

The Town Council opted for a limited welcome to the cannabis industry, passing a zoning ordinance Dec. 14 that allows up to two recreational and/or medical dispensaries into Morristown. Read more: Weed Dispensary Zoning Gets Morristown Council's OK

Town officials received six applications for retail establishments but none for medicinal centers, according to Barrick. Here are the applicants and their proposed locations:

• Tangerine Tree Dispensary LLC: 158 Morris St.
• Uma Flowers: 102 Ridgedale Ave.
• Atta AMFI: 77-79 Market St.
• The Summit: 65-66 Market St.
• Sweetspot: 64-66 Ridgedale Ave.
• The Banc Street Collective: 51 Bank St.

Morristown's weed-business ordinance limits potential dispensaries to the Central Business District and zone MX-2 — Ridgedale and Madison Avenues, plus a portion of Martin Luther King Avenue. They also must be at least 1,000 feet from a grade school and 200 feet from houses of worship.

The ordinance also set up a process for Morristown to evaluate and approve applications for cannabis businesses. Now that the town has received proposals, a five-member Cannabis Advisory Board, featuring local officials, will review all applicants for local licensing.

But the Town Council has the authority to activate, suspend or revoke any licenses. Successful applicants will then have up to 18 months to obtain a state license. Find more info on the selection process here.

New Jersey could welcome its first set of dispensaries to the recreational business in a matter of weeks. The state Cannabis Regulatory Commission approved applications Monday from seven companies to expand their medical-cannabis facilities into the recreational market. Read more: NJ Legal Marijuana Sales Could Start Soon; Board Approves Applications

Pending inspections, the state will allow the seven companies to expand into recreational services into 13 dispensaries across New Jersey. Under state law, medical dispensaries that receive approval to sell recreational cannabis will have to prioritize their patients, who have been complaining about a chronic lack of supply and high prices for years. Read More: New Jersey Marijuana Patients Need Lower Prices, More Weed

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