Get ready to light up legally, New Jersey.
After years of debates and delays, legal recreational marijuana sales will begin in the Garden State on Thursday.
Seven dispensaries have been authorized to begin selling weed at 13 locations across the state, and 12 of them will kick off with lots of pomp and circumstance.
Two will open about 13 minutes before the crack of dawn. Ribbons will be cut. Leaders, including Gov. Phil Murphy, will take tours and make speeches. And the dispensaries — formally known as alternative treatment centers — are preparing for a flood of customers to mark legal weed’s opening day.
Murphy said Tuesday he is “relieved we’re finally there” on selling marijuana, saying the law will begin “doing the right thing by social justice” after people of color were disproportionately hurt by the war on drugs.
The governor also said the state will keep a sharp eye to make sure the recreational sales don’t hurt the supply of medical marijuana for patients.
New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission Executive Director Jeff Brown said in statement Wednesday the panel expects “13 locations for the entire state will make for extremely busy stores.”
“The dispensaries have assured us that they are ready to meet the demand without disrupting patient access, and with minimal impact on the surrounding communities, but patience will be key to a good opening day,” Brown said.