NJ Weed: Recreational Sales To Expand To More Stores

NEW JERSEY — Three New Jersey dispensaries plan to begin recreational-weed sales Wednesday. The additions will give New Jerseyans 16 legal locations to buy non-medicinal cannabis.

Ayr Wellness will begin selling recreational weed at its Woodbridge, Union and Eatontown stores — each called Garden State Dispensary. In a Monday news release, Ayr leadership expressed optimism in Central Jersey's market for legal cannabis.

"This marks a monumental step for our company," said Jonathan Sandelman, Ayr's founder and CEO. "Adult-use cannabis sales in the state topped $24 million in the first month alone with only 12 dispensaries, according to the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission."

Ayr has dispensaries in six different states, including the three in New Jersey which will begin recreational sales Wednesday. Each Garden State Dispensary location is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.

The company closed in September on its acquisition of Garden State Dispensary, allowing Ayr to enter New Jersey's cannabis market.

New Jersey launched recreational sales April 21 at select dispensaries, marking the first time since the state's end to cannabis prohibition that brick-and-mortar stores could legally sell it. Read more: First Month Of Adult-Use Cannabis Sales In N.J. Brings In $24 Million

A dozen medical dispensaries approved for recreational sales got in on the action April 21. Curaleaf in Edgewater park became New Jersey's 13th dispensary in the recreational market May 25.

The state Cannabis Regulatory Commission also approved recreational sales for TerrAscend in Lodi and Ascend in Montclair. But it's not clear when they will begin selling adult-use cannabis.