Passaic Co. Dispensary Gets Tentative OK To Sell Recreational Weed

Update: This article now includes confirmation from Green Thumb Industries Inc. that RISE Paterson plans to sell recreational cannabis.

PATERSON, NJ — For the first time since New Jersey legalized adult use of recreational weed, a Passaic County business received tentative approval to sell it to consumers. But it's not yet clear when RISE Paterson, a medical dispensary, will be able to begin doing so.

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission approved applications Monday from seven companies to expand their medical-cannabis facilities into the recreational market. One of them was GTI New Jersey, which runs medical dispensaries in Paterson, Bloomfield and Paramus under the name RISE. 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. That could mean adult, recreational sales at New Jersey stores as soon as this month.

RISE plans to offer recreational weed in its Paterson and Bloomfield facilities, while keeping Paramus medical-only, according to a spokesperson for Green Thumb Industries, RISE's parent company. But it's not yet clear when those sales might begin.

The state's decision Monday brings Passaic County and New Jersey closer to establishing a recreational, legal market in brick-and-mortar businesses. The New Jersey commission gave first dibs on recreational sales to approved alternative treatment centers (ATCs) — or medical-cannabis dispensaries.

Medical marijuana dispensaries are allowed to sell recreational cannabis under state's law, but 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

“We are getting closer to the opening of the market," said Jeff Brown, the state cannabis commission's executive director. "We are approving applications for new applicants and have now made way for the ATCs to expand. We are now tasked with completing inspections of the ATCs and getting them permitted to open for business to the general public.”

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