Ascend Montclair

Ascend of Montclair has received Planning Board approval to begin recreational marijuana sales — expanding beyond the dispensary’s current medical only-business — but it still has some hurdles to clear before those sales can begin.

Marijuana dispensary says it was told it would be in violation of the law.

Ascend of Montclair plans to open for recreational marijuana sales beginning Tuesday, June 7, despite not having yet filled out a township application to do so, and therefore without township approval.

Ascend of Montclair has received its license from the state to expand to sales of marijuana for recreational use. But will still have to go through Montclair's application process before it can expand to recreational sales.

The Montclair Township Council has given a “resolution of support” to medical marijuana dispensary Ascend to expand into recreational sales, a measure needed to get a state license.

Marijuana fans flocked to other towns’ dispensaries, but Montclair hasn't yet approved recreational sales at the Ascend dispensary on Bloomfield Avenue.

Ascend says it can't get state approval until Montclair signs off.

In New Jersey, legislators wrote into the law a requirement that 30% of recreational marijuana licenses be awarded to businesses owned by women, minorities, or disabled veterans.

Ascend Montclair Dispensary workers have unionized, possibly helping set a standard for the thousands of workers expected to enter New Jersey’s budding cannabis industry. 

Also in the works: Lightshade, a cannabis dispensary brand, has said it intends to come to Montclair with a team led by Rohan Marley — son of reggae legend Bob Marley.