Dispensaries open now in Phillipsburg, New Jersey

The city of Phillipsburg serves as a gateway from Western New Jersey into Pennsylvania. Phillipsburg, NJ is home to a growing cannabis community centered around the most vital adult-use dispensary in the area.

The Apothecarium Dispensary - Phillipsburg serves a large part of Western New Jersey, as it is the closest recreational dispensary e on the Jersey side of the Delaware River. Highway US-22 passes through Phillipsburg and over the Delaware river into Easton, PA. With both cities of Easton and Williamsport in such close proximity, it is no surprise that some of their residents prefer to cross the river to purchase their cannabis from a dispensary in Phillipsburg.

The importance of Phillipsburg dispensaries is only enhanced by the laws of neighboring Pennsylvania. While it is illegal for residents of Pennsylvania to transport marijuana from New Jersey back home, there is nothing stopping them from enjoying cannabis in New Jersey. In Phillipsburg, recreational cannabis can be purchased with a Pennsylvania driver's license, however, it is important to keep the strict cannabis laws of Pennsylvania in mind when heading back over the river.

Phillipsburg dispensaries serve as a cannabis mecca for out-of-staters and present a huge opportunity for licensed consumption lounges to open in the coming years.

The only adult-use marijuana dispensary in Phillipsburg is The Apothecarium, which has been operating as a recreational dispensary since April 21, 2022. The Apothecarium is popular for both New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents, as well as others who are passing through on highway US-22. There are a few other major medical dispensaries in the region. The most popular dispensaries in the greater Phillipsburg area include:

• The Apothecarium Dispensary - Phillipsburg (Recreational)
• BEYOND/HELLO Dispensary - Easton (Medical)
• Bloc Dispensary - Bethlehem (Medical)

Apthecarium is the only recreational marijuana dispensary in the Phillipsburg region of Western New Jersey. Since recreational dispensaries opened across the state on April 21, 2022, locals have enjoyed the benefits of legalized cannabis. Still, many people have unanswered questions about how dispensaries near Phillipsburg work. That's why Leafly's dispensary experts put together the essential information you need to navigate Phillipsburg’s unique dispensary landscape.

Phillipsburg, NJ weed dispensary hours

Phillipsburg marijuana dispensaries will have to abide by strict hours of operation set by the Phillipsburg city council. Dispensaries are allowed to operate seven days a week and are usually open on holidays and during special events. In Phillipsburg, recreational dispensary shopping hours may differ from individual store hours, as certain times during the week are reserved for medical patients shopping for prescription medical products. Recreational dispensary shopping hours are typically:

• Sunday-Wednesday 10am-9pm
• Thursday-Saturday 10am-10pm

Additionally, medical-specific shopping hours are as follows:

• Monday-Sunday 8am-10am

You can verify the operating hours of your favorite Phillipsburg, NJ region dispensary at any time using Leafly.com.

Items to bring to a marijuana dispensary in Phillipsburg

To enter a recreational dispensary in Phillipsburg, you must present a valid photo identification card, such as a driver's license, to verify you are at least 21 years old or older. Marijuana dispensaries in Phillipsburg will accept your out-of-state driver's license if you visit from outside New Jersey. However, after six months, this window expires, and you won't be able to purchase marijuana from dispensaries in New Jersey any longer. New Jersey's medical marijuana cards are issued by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC).

Estimated wait times for marijuana dispensaries in Phillipsburg

When the first cannabis store first opened its doors in the Phillipsburg area, consumer demand was so high that many customers experienced long wait times to purchase cannabis—up to an hour or more. Since then, lines have begun to lessen as locals take advantage of online ordering, weed delivery, and pick-up options. Still, if you’re visiting a dispensary in Phillipsburg, prepare to spend at least 15-20 minutes waiting in line, especially during the COVID era when establishments try to discourage overcrowding in small spaces.

Phillipsburg, NJ cannabis tax breakdown

Like most goods sold in the US, THC products sold at dispensaries in Phillipsburg are subject to certain cannabis taxes. Every state has unique laws regarding cannabis tax, and New Jersey is no different. In Phillipsburg, cannabis flower purchases are subject to a 6.625% state sales tax as well as a 0.3% social equity excise fee. Additionally, local governments like Phillipsburg are authorized to charge an additional 2% sales tax. Cannabis taxes are applied during the checkout process at Phillipsburg dispensaries or through an online ordering system such as Leafly. The only exception to this tax rule is for cardholding medical marijuana patients, which as of July 1, 2022, are exempt from cannabis taxes.

Phillipsburg, NJ dispensaries are cash-only

Like most cities with legal cannabis, Phillipsburg requires all cannabis purchases to be cash. Fortunately, most local cannabis shops have ATMs to allow you to take out money for a small fee. Phillipsburg cannabis shops are cash-only because banks operate on the federal level, where marijuana is still illegal, making banks unable to accept anything but cash from dispensaries. Dispensaries in Phillipsburg do not accept personal checks, credit cards, debit cards, or cryptocurrency as forms of payment for cannabis products.

New Jersey has passed laws outlining where people can and cannot smoke weed. Essentially, Phillipsburg's cannabis consumption laws outlaw public consumption. There are only a few key locations where you are free to safely smoke and enjoy cannabis in Phillipsburg, including:

• Inside a home that you own
• Inside a home that you rent with the landlord's written permission
• Inside a consumption lounge

How to transport weed in New Jersey

New Jersey state consumption laws apply to transportation within and around Phillipsburg city limits. To safely and legally transport cannabis in New Jersey, you must meet the following requirements:

• Cannabis can only be transported by an adult aged 21 years old or older
• Individuals may not consume cannabis or be intoxicated by cannabis while driving
• Cannabis may not be transported over state lines into Pennsylvania

In Phillipsburg, driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal. Penalties for driving under the influence of cannabis start with 30 days of imprisonment and a fine of up to $400. The second offense comes with 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. A third offense carries up to 6 months in jail, driver's license revocation, and a fine of up to $1,000.

Founded in 1861, Phillipsburg, NJ has long been a hub for the manufacturing and retail industry. In 2010, cannabis joined the list when medical marijuana was legalized throughout the state. Despite resistance from some NJ elected officials, recreational marijuana was legalized in November 2020, with dispensaries in the Newark area opening their doors on April 21, 2022.

Both medical and recreational dispensaries in Phillipsburg offer a wide selection of local cannabis products and strains ranging in price, quality, potency, and unique cannabinoid combinations (Ex. high THC, low CBD). Cannabis products are widely available in Phillipsburg, NJ dispensaries including cannabis flower, THC concentrates, THC edibles, cartridges, and pre-rolls. But before you start shopping, familiarize yourself with New Jersey's cannabis purchase limits which include:

• Up to 1 ounce of cannabis flower or 5 grams of cannabis concentrates, resins, oils, or ten packages of edibles
• Medical marijuana patients may only purchase up to 3 ounces of cannabis in a 30-day period.