Freehold, NJ Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)

Cannabis dispensary regulation in Monmouth County is highly fragmented. NJ Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (CREAMMA, N.J.S.A. 24:6I-45) required municipalities to enact local ordinances by August 22, 2021 either authorizing or prohibiting specific license types. Municipalities that failed to act defaulted to permitting all license types for 5 years. NJ license types include Class 1 (cultivator), Class 2 (manufacturer), Class 3 (wholesaler), Class 4 (distributor), Class 5 (retailer/dispensary), and Class 6 (delivery). Monmouth municipalities with operating recreational dispensaries include Asbury Park (early adopter, Apothecarium and others), Eatontown, Neptune Township, and Middletown (select zones). Many suburban Monmouth towns opted out — Rumson, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Spring Lake, and others initially banned all license types. Opt-outs can be reversed by ordinance amendment. For operating dispensaries: conditional use permit required under municipal zoning; buffer requirements 200 to 500 feet from schools, daycare, and sometimes parks/places of worship; security requirements (cameras, alarm, controlled entry); operating hours typically 8 AM to 10 PM or similar; signage restrictions. NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) issues state licenses; local approval is separate. 2% municipal transfer tax on cannabis sales funds local budgets.