New Jersey capital grapples with unlicensed cannabis shops

State officials say enforcement is a city issue.

A new social equity marijuana retailer in the New Jersey capital of Trenton – population 89,000 – says his neighborhood is inundated with unlicensed competition from the underground – a problem the city mayor even acknowledged to Green Market Report. But it appears there’s no immediate action underway.

John Dockery - Owner of Moja Life

John Dockery, owner of Moja Life on Warren Street in Trenton, opened for business on June 3, but he’s worried about what he says is a “proliferation” of unlicensed competition in the city. He estimated there are at least 18 illegal marijuana stores operating in Trenton – and nine just in his neighborhood.

“We have pop-up shops, like they have in New York City,” Dockery said. “It started off with just one or two, and because they didn’t fix the problem, it led to more people opening. … They’re all around me.”

The story mirrors what’s been seen elsewhere: Unlicensed operators undercut licensed companies by not paying taxes or other business fees.

“They sell $10 eighths, $15 eighths, $20 eighths (of marijuana flower). The lowest eighth I can possibly buy from a wholesaler is probably $23,” Dockery said. “I don’t think any business is going to be able to maintain if they city allows this to continue.”

Dockery said he’s complained to the city and to the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission, but so far officials have declined to take action against any of the shops.

State authorities told Dockery that it’s the city’s job to police cannabis operations in their own jurisdiction, and the Trenton city law department promised an eventual crackdown, but wouldn’t provide a timeline.

“They feel that we have more bigger issues than just cracking down on cannabis shops. We have a high crime rate, a high rate of mentally disabled people. So there are other issues,” Dockery said.

Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora told Green Market Report that the city wants to support Dockery.

Dockery said there are also questions about Bud Bandit and others advertising what appear to be illegally potent marijuana edibles for sale.

The state limits marijuana edibles to 100 milligrams of THC per package, and yet Bud Bandit has chocolate bars, cookies, and other edibles advertised on its website that have 500 milligrams or more per package.

There were similarly illegal-looking high-potency edibles advertised on Moe Weed’s website, including 1,000-milligram edibles, along with a mixture of hemp-based goods that are even stronger, such as 3,000-milligram edibles of Delta 8 THC.

NJ Weedman also advertises 1,000-milligram “Wonka” chocolate bars on its website, and online customers can purchase up to 100 of them at once for $1,500, far surpassing the daily legal purchase limit of one ounce of cannabis products.

Representatives for Bud Bandit and NJ Weedman did not respond to requests for comment.

Gusciora called the situation “extremely problematic.” Dockery said he went to the media as a last resort.

“I don’t want to piss anybody off, but it’s like, enough is enough,” he said.

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