After years of anticipation, New Jersey’s cannabis industry has reached what regulators are calling a “major milestone” with the opening of the state’s first four marijuana consumption lounges.
High Rollers Dispensary and Lounge.
Two of the new lounges—High Rollers Dispensary and SunnyTien Dispensary—are located in Atlantic City, where local police have recently stepped up enforcement against public marijuana smoking, particularly along the city’s iconic Boardwalk. The other two lounges are Gynsyng in Merchantville and URB’N Dispensary in Newark.
All four lounges are certified by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) as “Diversely Owned Businesses,” meaning they’re minority-owned, woman-owned, or disabled veteran-owned.
The CRC began accepting applications from social equity dispensaries on January 2 and approved the first batch of licenses on July 15. Spencer Belz of SunnyTien Dispensary says it took nearly 16 months for his lounge to open after starting the process.
Consumption lounges in New Jersey are required to follow strict regulations, including bans on alcohol and nicotine use and mandates for strong ventilation and public safety protocols.
Local law enforcement officials say the new lounges could help reduce illegal public marijuana use. At least 22 citations have been issued so far this summer for smoking in public places.
