Social Leaf opened the fourth recreational adult-use cannabis dispensary in South Toms River and 32nd overall. They are the first cannabis dispensary to open in Ocean County.
Social Leaf Dispensary Opens
They opened their doors on Friday. Social Leaf had a busy first day of New Jersey adult-use cannabis sales.
They had products from the existing vertically integrated cannabis corporate Multi-State Operators (MSOs) dispensaries available. Social Leaf also had White Labeled products where companies have deals with licensed New Jersey cannabis manufacturers to enter the market.
There are five co-owners of the company. Thomas Marino is a local barber who owned his shop. Co-owner John Earp also owns Bubby’s Beanery, a local coffeehouse. His wife, Jennifer, also owns shares in both. As Ocean County small business people, they gained the support of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office by delivering discounted coffees to a nearby hospital during the COVID pandemic. Frank Guzzi owns a local masonry business. Bill Hall is also a partner.
On February 2nd, 2022, four Ocean County friends got together for a steak dinner in Asbury Park. Over Dinner, we discussed the opportunity to open a legal recreational cannabis dispensary in South Toms River, NJ. After many questions and long conversations, a deal was struck.
“Since that night, there have been many ups and downs and everything in between. But in the end, one thing always remained. The 4 of us always conquered the very difficult terrain that lied beneath,” their Facebook page said.
They thanked the South Toms River mayor, council, and Chief of Police.
“Being locally owned and operated, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality cannabis products and an exceptional experience,” Social Leaf dispensary said on their Instagram page.
Social Leaf received its annual license from the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) in March 2023. Thus, it continues the trend where conditional licenses, initially prioritized, are being left in the dust by annual licenses, which are opening far quicker. Conditional licenses went to the minorities and Social Equity companies that the NJ-CRC initially prioritized.
Annual Licenses are usually better funded and run by White men.
The NJ-CRC has promised more conditional conversion awards would happen at their July meeting scheduled for next week.
Ocean County Dispensary Location Issues
Local politics complicate New Jersey and Ocean County cannabis dispensary locations. More Democratic towns like Jersey City and Trenton are at the forefront of allowing dispensaries. But Republican towns are even more hesitant. Ocean County is predominantly Republican.
Even Seaside Heights, where the infamous Jersey Shore show was filmed, known for its image as a party town, is reluctant to allow a dispensary. Conservative Republicans are unhappy about the social justice progress made to stop racist, pointless arrests for small amounts of cannabis. To prevent police brutality, New Jersey cops are now liable in court for their actions.
South Toms River is one of the few towns in Ocean County to allow cannabis dispensaries.
Local small business people like Jersey Shore Extracts are having difficulty opening due to the opposition.
New Jersey Adult Use Cannabis Dispensaries List Growing
The following is a list of the New Jersey recreational adult use cannabis dispensaries that are open:
- Social Leaf in South Toms River.
- Union Chill (an MSO) in Lambertville.
- Earth & Ivy in New Brunswick.
- Nova Farms (an MSO) in Woodbury.
- Holistic Solutions LLC in Atco.
- Valley Wellness LLC in Raritan Twp.
- Sweet Spot (an MSO) in Voorhees.
- Apothecarium Dispensary (an MSO) in Lodi.
- Apothecarium Dispensary in Maplewood.
- Apothecarium Dispensary in Phillipsburg.
- Ascend (an MSO) in Montclair.
- Ascend (an MSO) in Rochelle Park.
- Ascend in Fort Lee.
- BLOC (formerly Justice Grown) (an MSO) in Franklin Township.
- BLOC (formerly Justice Grown) in Ewing.
- The Botanist (an MSO) in Williamstown.
- The Botanist in Egg Harbor Township.
- The Cannabist (an MSO) in Vineland.
- The Cannabist in Deptford.
- Curaleaf (an MSO) in Bordentown Twp.
- Curaleaf in Bellmawr.
- Curaleaf in Edgewater Park.
- Ayr Wellness (Formerly GSD) (an MSO) in Woodbridge
- Ayr Wellness in Eatontown
- Ayr Wellness in Union Township.
- Harmony Dispensary in Secaucus
- MPX NJ (an MSO) in Atlantic City
- Rise (an MSO) in Bloomfield
- Rise in Paterson
- Zen Leaf (an MSO) in Neptune
- Zen Leaf in Elizabeth
- Zen Leaf in Lawrence Twp.
(Photos courtesy of Charles Benson of Jersey Shore Extracts.)
