LODI, NJ — New Jersey’s first drive-thru cannabis dispensary officially opened Saturday.
It’s been less than four months since recreational marijuana was legalized in the state and 17 recreational dispensaries have set up shop.
As CBS2’s Zinnia Maldonado reports, it’s a new way to harvest cannabis.
“It was very convenient because they have a car and this is their opening day,” said one customer.
After a soft launch a few weeks ago, New Jersey’s first drive-thru pot dispensary is officially open for business. It is located at the Apothecarium on Route 17 in Lodi.
TerrAscend Corporation owns and operates the Apothecarium and two other dispensaries in New Jersey.
“Drive-thru service is the best,” said another customer.
“It makes it very quick and easy for them to pick up their order very quickly,” said Chantelle Elsner, TerrAscend’s senior vice president of retail. “And on the flip side, for patients who, you know, may have mobility issues or those who prefer to stay in their car, it gives them a safe option.”
The drive-thru will be open for medical patients only during the first two hours of operation each day, from 9am to 11am.
“The state wanted to make sure medical patients didn’t have to wait too long in line to get their medications,” said Jason Wild, executive chairman of TerrAscend.
Wild says it’s been a positive experience working on the cannabis sales launch with state officials.
“The tax dollars go to the state and they have several programs that they have created that will be the beneficiaries of the tax dollars,” he said.
Tax revenue from recreational cannabis sales from April 21, when the market opened, to the end of June totaled more than $4.5 million. That’s based on nearly $80 million in total sales from licensed retailers statewide.
Wild predicts its three New Jersey locations will gross $40 million each in their first 12 months.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Wild said. “We’re here for the long haul.”
