CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Officials in Camden have given approval for the city’s first marijuana dispensary, run by a business that’s been around for nearly 100 years.
“It’s an exciting and extremely humbling experience,” said Bell Pharmacy owner Tony Minniti.
Nowhere else in the country does a pharmacy act as a dispensary for medical and recreational cannabis.
Minniti says they are currently renovating the second floor to create the space for a dispensary, which includes a new $85,000 elevator. Minniti says the business is coming full circle to its history.
“Cannabis was being dispensed medicinally from Bell Pharmacy back in the 30s before prohibition,” said Minniti, who has a label from an old bottle to prove it.
“The previous owners saved everything.”
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Minniti says the idea came from a few regular customers who asked why he wasn’t selling cannabis.
The property has long been a fixture at the corner of Kaighn and Haddon avenues. It had two addresses, which is one of the reasons why it can technically operate both the pharmacy and the dispensary under the same roof.
He says this isn’t much different than what you see at a store where a divider separates it from a pharmacy.
“We’re bringing an entirely new business model to the cannabis marketplace as it’s continuing to evolve,” said Minniti.
Minniti expects more pharmacies will follow in his footsteps.
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“We found a very unique way to be able to do this that complies with all the board of pharmacy regulations, federal regulations, and state regulations regarding cannabis,” he said. “The challenge is this has never been done, so this is brand new. Nobody knows what to expect.”
Upstairs, there will be a marijuana dispensary with associates carrying tablets to answer questions and take orders. The pharmacy will remain on the main level, and there will be a lane available for medical marijuana pickups and online order pickups.
“If someone wants to be in and out, we can do that down here. If they have questions or want to see what’s available, that’s upstairs,” Minniti said.
The city approved the site use plan last month. That has been the biggest hurdle, along with startup capital, for many New Jerseyans looking to start a marijuana business.
Now, he’s waiting for final approval on his application from the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, which he anticipates will happen sometime in March, and sales will begin soon after that.