Puff Ganja is a proposed microbusiness dispensary for Gloucester Township, with hopes of opening in the Laurel Hill Plaza which is located to the side of ShopRite of Laurel Hill (across the street,).
Laurel Hill Plaza is a long single-story strip mall on College Drive which starts at the intersection of the popular Blackwood-Clementon Road.
Within the Laura Hill Plaza, the Puff Ganja dispensary is targeted for the far right side, in a unit that appears to be directly next to Beauty World.
This is a “microbusiness” dispensary which is a category defined by New Jersey cannabis laws targeted at supporting smaller business operations with local ownership. Requirements include local ownership, fewer than 10 employees, no more than 2,500sf, and sales volume limits.
Puff Ganja has already been given an important approval from the Gloucester Township Council, who in September heard from the applicants and the Council then published a resolution in support of the Puff Ganja application for a New Jersey Cannabis Retailer License. This approval is a required part of New Jersey “Annual License” application process.
The cannabis retailer approval process for the State of New Jersey can be a lengthy one with multiple steps, and one key aspect ahead of the approval of the final licenses is for the Township to wrote a letter of support or resolution for the Cannabis operator within the town.
The next step in the approval process for Puff Ganja will be an appearance before the Gloucester Township Zoning Board on Wednesday January 8th at 7pm.
Dispensaries are allowed in this Highway-Commercial Zone but Township ordinance defines dispensaries as a “conditional use” which on its own requires a Zoning Board review before the project can move forward.
That being said the applicant is also requesting a “D” variance for the project as the location does not meet the condition of being located more than 500 feet from a residential area. While the property behind the Plaza is significantly wooded, there are homes located within the woods.
Additionally Puff Ganja owners are looking for a site plan waiver as they propose to use a 1,200 square foot unit within an existing building, and there will be no proposed changes to the exterior of the building or site.
The Public Notice for this hearing is slightly confusing and I had to confirm details with the Gloucester Township Board Administrator. Despite the notice saying the meeting is with the Planning Board, they will actually be reviewing it with the Township Zoning Board who meets on January 8th. (The Planning Board meets on a different day, so I really wanted to clarify this aspect)
In other area news the ShopRite located across the street will be relocating at the end of 2025 to a new constructed store at the former K-mart building
Links and Location
Puff Ganja LLC – Dispensary (Proposed)
2001 College Drive
Clementon Gloucester Township, NJ
8th day of January, 2025 at 7:00 o’clock PM
Gloucester Township Zoning Board
Municipal Building
1261 Chews Landing Road at Hyder Lane
Gloucester Township, NJ 08012