South Jersey could be the second site approved for a medical marijuana dispensary, after a warehouse location was given the green light in Egg Harbor Township.

Advocates are optimistic this could lead to other facilities around the state finding a home.

Medical marijuana dispensaries and pot farms have had difficulties with local planning authorities around the state as proposals have been shut out of sites in Upper Freehold, Westhampton, and Maple Shade.

Ken Wolski, executive director of the Coalition For Medical Marijuana - New Jersey, says he's hopeful the approval of an 85,000 square foot warehouse may lead to other towns welcoming the dispensaries into their communities.

"I'm very happy to hear this and I think this is going to facilitate getting the program up and running for the patients who need it here in New Jersey."

 

The center which would be run by Compassionate Care Foundation, still needs state approval. It becomes the second of six facilities to secure a location. The other was in Montclair.

"Some of the zones that have turned down so far have been non-residential and have been zoned for farming or zoned for light industrial use...but still communities are turning down applications for alternative treatment centers and its very frustrating."

Wolski says with state permits and time to grow the drug, the earliest a treatment center could be open is this summer.

"I'm optimistic that this a great step in the right direction and that people who need this treatment the most like cancer patients, people with multiple sclerosis will be able to get the drug soon."

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