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Your complete guide to Newark's cannabis dispensaries and nearby options for legal recreational marijuana
Newark, New Jersey may be the state’s most populous city, but it only houses a handful of licensed cannabis dispensaries within its boundaries. The good news for cannabis consumers is that while in-city options are limited, there’s strong coverage in immediately surrounding communities like Bloomfield, Elizabeth, and Harrison—all within a short drive from downtown Newark. Whether you’re a local resident or just passing through Newark Liberty International Airport, you’ll find quality cannabis options nearby. Before heading out to shop, explore Herb’s comprehensive dispensary directory to find the best options near you.
URB’N Dispensary stands as Newark’s cannabis pioneer, holding the distinction of being the city’s first fully licensed weed dispensary. Located just 4 minutes from Newark Airport, this woman-owned, pharmacist-owned independent business offers both medical and recreational cannabis with an emphasis on community education and accessibility.
What truly sets URB’N apart is its historic cannabis consumption lounge—the first in Newark and one of only four approved statewide on July 15, 2025. This innovative space allows adults 21+ to consume cannabis on-site in a bar-like atmosphere with entry fees ranging from $5 for 30 minutes to $1,200 for an annual unlimited pass.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Travelers flying through Newark Airport, social cannabis consumers wanting to try the consumption lounge, those seeking a locally-owned independent dispensary with educational focus
Location & Hours:
CityLeaf Dispensary represents Newark’s newest cannabis retail option, opening in summer 2024 to serve the North Ward community. This Hispanic-owned minority business brings fresh energy to Newark’s cannabis scene with competitive pricing and a modern retail approach.
Located on Broadway at Chester Avenue, CityLeaf offers full adult-use recreational cannabis with online ordering for convenient in-store pickup. The dispensary accepts both cash and debit cards—unlike some competitors that remain cash-only—and maintains extended hours most days of the week.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Newark North Ward residents, first-time dispensary visitors seeking a welcoming environment, shoppers preferring card payment options
Location & Hours:
Treeotics Marijuana Dispensary positions itself as more than just a cannabis retailer—it’s a community hub focused on education, local art, and social initiatives. Located on Lyons Avenue in Newark’s Central Ward, this dispensary emphasizes premium cannabis products alongside community engagement.
Treeotics has built a reputation for high customer satisfaction, described as “Newark’s freshest spot” by regular patrons. The dispensary offers both in-store shopping and delivery service, with a loyalty program that rewards repeat customers.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Community-minded cannabis consumers, those seeking educational opportunities about cannabis, shoppers wanting premium products with local business support
Location & Hours:
The Public Garden Dispensary brings authentic New Jersey cannabis culture to Bloomfield Avenue, just across the border from Newark. This recreational-only dispensary celebrates NJ-native branding while serving the broader Newark area with competitive pricing and frequent promotions.
The Public Garden offers comprehensive online ordering for convenient pickup and maintains a diverse product selection spanning all major cannabis categories. Their location on Bloomfield Avenue makes them easily accessible to Newark residents in the 07104 area code.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Newark residents seeking frequent deals and promotions, those wanting authentic New Jersey cannabis culture, shoppers looking for comprehensive product selection at competitive prices
Location & Hours:
RISE Dispensaries Bloomfield operates as part of the national Green Thumb Industries (GTI) network, bringing corporate efficiency and consistency to the Bloomfield cannabis market. This dispensary uniquely serves both medical and recreational customers with dedicated medical-only hours each morning.
RISE stands out for its operational efficiency, offering curbside pickup, multiple transaction positions to minimize wait times, and an on-site ATM for customer convenience. The dispensary maintains extended hours most days and offers comprehensive online ordering.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Medical cannabis patients needing early access, shoppers wanting efficient service, those preferring corporate consistency over boutique experiences
Location & Hours:
Zen Leaf Elizabeth operates as part of the Verano multi-state operator network, bringing professional cannabis retail to Elizabeth just outside Newark. This dispensary holds historic significance as the location where Governor Phil Murphy visited on New Jersey’s first day of legal recreational cannabis sales.
Zen Leaf offers both medical and recreational cannabis with medical patient priority hours during the first hour of each day. The dispensary maintains extended hours (typically until 9-10 PM) and serves the dense surrounding communities of Elizabeth and Newark.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Medical patients wanting priority access, shoppers seeking consistent multi-state operator quality, travelers needing convenient airport-adjacent options
Location & Hours:
Fresh Cannabis Elizabeth positions itself as a premium cannabis destination strategically located just 2.5 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport. This boutique dispensary emphasizes top-shelf flower and premium strains, making it an ideal stop for travelers flying through EWR.
Part of the Fresh Cannabis multi-state brand with locations in Colorado, Delaware, and New Jersey, this Elizabeth location focuses on quality over quantity with a curated selection of premium cannabis products.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Air travelers using Newark Airport, cannabis connoisseurs seeking premium products, those wanting boutique dispensary experience with multi-state operator backing
Location & Hours:
Cookies Harrison brings San Francisco’s legendary premium cannabis brand to New Jersey, operating as the brand’s first recreational dispensary in the state. Located directly across from Red Bull Arena on Angelo Cifelli Drive, this high-end dispensary serves Newark, Harrison, and Hudson County areas.
Cookies Harrison offers free home delivery with a $125 minimum order and maintains convenient daily hours from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The premium brand positioning means higher price points, but cannabis enthusiasts appreciate access to the famous Cookies genetics and product line.
What Makes Them Special:
Best For: Cannabis enthusiasts seeking famous Cookies genetics, Red Bull Arena event attendees, those willing to pay premium prices for brand-name cannabis
Location & Hours:
No, all adults 21 and older can purchase recreational cannabis in Newark and throughout New Jersey without a medical card. The state’s adult-use cannabis program launched in April 2022, making recreational purchases fully accessible to anyone with valid government-issued ID proving they’re 21+. However, medical marijuana patients do receive benefits including tax exemptions on the 6.625% sales tax and priority access hours at some dispensaries like RISE Bloomfield.
Newark has exactly 3 licensed dispensaries operating within city boundaries: URB’N Dispensary on South Street, CityLeaf on Broadway, and Treeotics on Lyons Avenue. Despite being New Jersey’s most populous city, Newark has limited in-city cannabis retail options, which is why many residents shop in nearby Bloomfield, Elizabeth, or Harrison—all within a short drive.
No, New Jersey law prohibits cannabis consumption in public spaces including streets, parks, and sidewalks. However, Newark made history on July 15, 2025 when URB’N Dispensary became one of the first four locations in New Jersey approved for a cannabis consumption lounge. This allows legal on-site consumption in a controlled environment for adults 21+ with proper entry fees. Otherwise, cannabis consumption is only permitted on private property with the owner’s permission.
You must present valid government-issued photo identification proving you are 21 years of age or older. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. The ID must be unexpired and clearly display your birthdate, photograph, and name matching your appearance. International visitors can use their passport as valid identification for cannabis purchases in New Jersey.
For best value in the Newark area, consider URB’N Dispensary, known for competitive pricing and first-time customer discounts. Most dispensaries offer loyalty programs and daily specials, so checking Herb’s dispensary directory for current deals before shopping can help maximize your cannabis budget. Purchasing larger quantities also provides better per-gram value—while eighths typically cost $55-70, ounces average $280-340, reducing the per-gram cost significantly.
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