One day at a time. That’s how the retail cannabis industry is growing in New Jersey.

First, we had shattered dispensaries waiting for town licenses. Then slowly, they started opening up, mostly for medical patients only. Then recently the pace started to pick up with more shops opening for “adult use,” the fancy schmancy grown-up word for weed for fun’s sake— recreational marijuana.

As Erin Vogt reported on New Jersey 101.5 back in July, a Lodi dispensary finally has a drive-through option for picking up weed. And now, as of this past Saturday, it’s open for recreational weed after a soft opening.

Apothecarium in Lodi via Google Maps
Apothecarium in Lodi via Google Maps
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According to CBS News, New Jersey's first drive-thru cannabis dispensary officially opened for business Saturday.

It's been less than four months since the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state, and 17 recreational dispensaries have opened shop. TerrAscend Corporation owns and operates the Apothecarium as well as two other pharmacies in New Jersey.

Apothecarium in Lodi is NJ's first drive-thru marijuana dispensary (Apothecarium/TerrAscend)
Apothecarium in Lodi is NJ's first drive-thru marijuana dispensary (Apothecarium/TerrAscend)
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According to the article, Chantelle Elsner, TerrAscend’s senior vice president of retail, said the drive-through option “offers a safer option for patients who may have mobility issues or who prefer to stay in their car.”

In order to accommodate the needs of patients who need marijuana for medical conditions, The drive-thru will be open to medical patients only daily from 9 - 11 a.m.

Apothecarium in Lodi is NJ's first drive-thru marijuana dispensary (Apothecarium/TerrAscend)
Apothecarium in Lodi is NJ's first drive-thru marijuana dispensary (Apothecarium/TerrAscend)
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For a while, it seemed like even though New Jersey had legalized recreational marijuana, we would never see actual retail sales coming to fruition. With all of the red tape and the typical New Jersey bureaucracy, it’s taken quite a long time. But now, not only can you buy recreational weed in New Jersey from 17 different dispensaries statewide, you don’t even have to get out of your car.

We’ve come a long way, baby.

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Judi Franco only.

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