SJM_DEPT_Weed_1123 - edit_Dept 11 / 16 / 23 12 : 22 PM Page 1 C O M M U N I T Y C mall for the cannabis store , and then they go ADULT - USE RECREATIONAL CANNABIS across the street to the mall , ” he says . New Jersey embraced medical marijuana HAS BEEN LEGAL IN NEW JERSEY FOR legalization in 2010 , with increasing legisla - OVER A YEAR . HERE’S A GLIMPSE AT ITS tion leading toward the recreational market today , which experts agree has enhanced the PROGRESS AND ITS FUTURE . by Carly Murray local economy and tourism . As research con - tinues to demonstrate the medicinal benefits of marijuana use , the stigma originally asso - arijuanasales to adults 21 and older officially began in New ciated with it appears to be diminishing — at Jerseyin April 2022 , more than a year after Gov . Phil Murphy least in The Garden State — as people from all signeda bill to legalize recreational cannabis . As experts walks of life are seeing their pain alleviated Mcontinueto examine this budding industry , its impacts and without the risks they’ve previously encoun - itspotential , many attest to the fact that it is continuing to expand for tered with pharmaceutical options . Experts thefurtherance of the economy , as well as for the community . in the field noted a surplus of veterans who Initially , some townships hesitated to open dispensaries pending the progress have benefited from marijuana , demon - of the industry . Now that municipal economies have seen positive payoffs , new strating its medical success in the most dispensaries are popping up at a comparatively more rapid rate . While prices extreme cases of physical or mental pain . might be higher and fewer consumption options are offered than states with a “ Factually speaking [ and ] scientifically longer history of recreational availability like California , Washington and Col - speaking , cannabis is healthy . … Rather , it’s a orado , New Jersey is quickly evolving — and even serving as a roadmap for other healthier alternative to things like alcohol , for states to follow . The market is still relatively new on the East Coast , where New recreation purposes , or opioids and benzos Jersey is a pioneer . for medication purposes , ” says Scott Rudder , Deptford Mayor Paul Medany was one of the first to permit recreational dispen - founder and president of New Jersey saries in his township during the initial , experimental phase , setting an example for CannaBusiness Association . “ So , people are other municipalities to follow . One result , he’s found , is an additional boost for putting down the bottle , they’re putting down nearby , non - cannabis - related businesses . the pills ; they’re using cannabis to both med - “ It’s a regional draw . It’s not the customer base only in Deptford Township . We’re icate and recreate . It’s a very positive thing always looking to bring in folks besides Deptford Township residents to the mall area . that these options are now available . I think … [ Online shopping ] really hurt us during COVID , so it boosted the local economy — as more of these dispensaries start to open up it brings in a variety of customer bases . They use businesses right there in the strip SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 20 issue 8 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 44 |