Joseph Ax

LAWRENCE (N.J.) -Last Year, Xavier Rodriguez had two marijuana possession convictions expunged thanks to a New Jersey law.

The 28-year old was one of the first New Jerseyans to wait in line to purchase marijuana legally. On Thursday, 13 dispensaries across the state started selling cannabis to residents over 21.

Rodriguez stood outside Zen Leaf in Lawrence, New Jersey with Debra, his mother. Rodriguez uses cannabis to treat pain from rheumatoidarthritis.

Thursday’s launch marked the culmination 10 years-long efforts by state advocates to legalize marijuana recreationally and stop years of unfair criminal prosecutions. New Jersey is among 18 states that have legalized adult use of marijuana.

Ben Kovler (CEO of Green Thumb Industries, OTC:), which owns dispensaries at Paterson and Bloomfield said that “We view it as the ending of Prohibition 2.0.”

Ascend Wellness Holdings Inc. Columbia Care (OTC) Inc. owns the 13 locations. Acreage Holdings Inc (OTC) Green Thumb Industries Inc Curaleaf Holdings (OTC) Inc, Terrascend Corp & Verano Holdings Corp

Analysts and industry executives expect that the market will soon exceed $2 billion. The Governor Phil Murphy proposed budget for fiscal 2023 anticipates revenue of $121 million from cannabis taxes and fees.

New Jersey currently has 130,000 patients who use medical marijuana. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission of the State estimates that there could be 800,000.

George Archos is chief executive officer of Verano which also owns Zen Leaf in Lawrence.

A line of more than 100 people formed around Zen Leaf on Thursday morning. The employees with tablets gave advice about choosing among a range of products from Ethos Cookies (“frosty, delicious”) to Chemlatto33 (“earthy, rich”) – which are both hybrid strains.

Dean Miller, 39 years old, stated that although he had a medical card to purchase marijuana, he chose to wait for adult use to show his support for New Jersey’s “big day.”

He expressed his hope that legalization would educate the public about cannabis’ therapeutic benefits, and not have to worry about alcohol.

Miller stated that Miller isn’t just trying to get high. Miller uses marijuana daily to ease the pain of six injuries.

‘PURSUING EQUITY’

For now, only medical marijuana dispensaries are allowed to sell to adults. However, the commission is currently considering hundreds of start-up business applications. The law gives priority to dispensaries owned by marijuana-convicts as well as women, minorities, and veterans with disabilities.

This law mandates that a large amount of cannabis revenue from the state be spent in areas most affected by “war on drug.”

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey reported that in 2018 blacks were arrested three times more often than whites for marijuana offenses, despite having similar use rates.

Amol Sinha is the executive director of the group. He stated that “that’s what’s the point here: making certain we’re pursuing Equity every step of the Way and ending our dependence on a criminal reaction for something people consume all across the country.”

According to polls, most Americans favor legalizing cannabis. Cannabis executives are hopeful that New Jersey’s success will inspire other East Coast states.

Joe Bayern, Curaleaf’s chief executive said that “it is time for legislators and to catch up with American consumers.”