Illicit Gardens Dispensary Open In Secaucus, But For Medical Marijuana Sales Only

SECAUCUS, NJ — Illicit Gardens, the only cannabis dispensary in Secaucus, has been open since October. However, they are currently only allowed to do medical marijuana sales, although that might change in the next few weeks.

"We've had to turn a lot of customers away," an employee at Illicit Gardens told Patch this week.

But she said the business is currently trying to get the state's approval to acquire the recreational sales license, too. There may be some progress on that "in the next 10 days," she said.

Illicit Gardens purchased the growing equipment and the marijuana licenses from Harmony, the Castle Road dispensary that closed in 2023 amidst infighting between the owners, allegations they were diverting money to a cannabis business in Israel and rumors they were $30 million in debt. However, the owners of Illicit were only able to take over Harmony's medical marijuana license. They are still trying to get the license for recreational sales.

The state of NJ is notorious for its tight control over cannabis licenses.

Illicit Gardens is located at 30 Wood Avenue, behind Meadowlands Plaza hotel and La Reggia. That is one of two zones created by the town of Secaucus where retail marijuana sales would be permitted to take place (the two zones are five lots around 30 Wood Avenue, and five lots around 500 Castle Road).

Secaucus hospital owner Yan Moshe would like to turn the former Channel 9 building on Meadowlands Parkway into a medical marijuana research center, and sell medical marijuana from there.

But that is outside the two zones created by the town. So will the town of Secaucus allow Moshe to carry out his plan? Stay tuned to find out.

Secaucus Adds 2nd Zone Where Marijuana Can Be Sold, Now Closer to Town (2024)

Secaucus Hospital Owner Yan Moshe Wants To Turn Former Channel 9 Building Into Marijuana Grow Business (Feb. 3)

Another dispensary, Floro, expressed interest in opening in Secaucus, but has since backed out, Mayor Mike Gonnelli said last May. Floro sought to open at the pet cremation business on Castle Road, but Floro never obtained a license from the state.