Jersey City’s 2nd Dispensary to Open

Published: Jul. 27, 2023

Jersey City’s slow but burgeoning cannabis industry is starting to take shape, and it’s set to become one dispensary larger with a new medicinal store opening in Downtown next week.

“It feels amazing, it’s been a long time coming” said 30-year-old Amanda Handy, CEO and co-owner of downtown FLWR, which will be the second legal cannabis business in Jersey City when the doors open at 141 Newark Ave. on Aug. 4.

“It’s been chaotic right before we open, but that’s to be expected,” said Handy, who moved from Belmar to Jersey City last year. “This is new for all of us, so we’re learning the market, our patients, our customer base. We’re really, really excited to be able to finally open.”

Handy began planning to open the store five years ago, citing her desire to help people and seeing the benefits of medical marijuana for patients, specifically those with cancer.

Aug. 4 will mark the soft opening with friends and family, but any local medical patients are welcome to check out the shop, Handy said. Mayor Steve Fulop is expected to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony that day.

FLWR’s upcoming opening comes on the heels of the opening of RIPT Dispensary, a medicinal dispensary located just below the Pulaski Skyway, two weeks ago. RIPT is the first dispensary of any kind in the city.

FLWR is also applying to sell recreational cannabis and has sued a possible competitor, Local Modiv, which plans to open a recreational-use shop at 155 Newark Ave. Jersey City currently does not have any recreational cannabis dispensaries open.

Local Modiv had previously won a lawsuit against the city over its application being denied, but FLWR’s lawsuit alleges that the judge’s order was not followed correctly. Handy declined to comment on the litigation.

“We’re looking forward to being a part of the community helping out any way we possibly can,” Handy said. “We’re not just here to open up a dispensary; we want to be a part of the city as well.”