A new bill in Trenton seeks to expedite the approval process for medical cannabis dispensaries by allowing them to sell recreational marijuana without needing town approval. The legislation, backed by Senate President Nicholas Scutari, also includes provisions to make it easier for dispensaries to switch their products from medical to recreational sales.

This move comes as lawmakers attempt to overcome municipal resistance to cannabis sales, with many towns opting out of recreational cannabis sales when New Jersey’s law was implemented. Only about one-third of the state’s municipalities permit cannabis businesses, and some restrict sales to medical cannabis only.

The bill targets the delays and litigation caused by municipal approval requirements that have slowed the opening of dispensaries since recreational sales began in April 2022. By removing the need for town approval, dispensaries in towns that ban recreational sales, like Breakwater Treatment and Wellness in Cranbury and Rise Dispensary in Paramus, could begin offering recreational cannabis.

The proposed bill also stipulates that municipalities cannot prevent a dispensary from selling recreational cannabis if it has been operational for at least 180 days without violations. It also allows dispensaries to reclassify their products for recreational use, helping them manage excess medical marijuana inventory.

Additionally, the bill aims to accelerate the application process by limiting the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) to 30-day extensions for approving licenses, pushing the commission to act more swiftly.

Advocates, including Ken Wolski of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana – New Jersey, support the bill, stating that it would benefit dispensaries struggling due to a decline in medical marijuana patients. The bill’s focus on expanding dispensary options quickly and improving the licensing process is viewed as a necessary adaptation to New Jersey’s evolving cannabis market.