TerrAscend second of ‘new six’ ATCs issued permit; projects spring opening

TerrAscend in Boonton Township can begin growing medical cannabis, the New Jersey Department of Health announced Thursday.

“The Department is committed to providing greater access to this therapy for patients,” said New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli in a statement. “TerrAscend is the fourth Alternative Treatment Center to receive a permit to grow product in the northern region of the state.”

According to a release from TerrAscend, construction of a 227,000-square-foot production facility on a 16-acre site in Boonton is underway with the first phase covering approximately 80,000 square feet of cultivation, processing and support space. It’s expected to be fully operational in the first half of 2020.

After Green Thumb Industries opened Rise Dispensaries in Paterson last month, TerrAscend will be the second of the “new six” ATCs to open in New Jersey.

Once TerrAscend’s product has been tested by the state laboratory and the dispensary is operational and inspected by the state, it will receive a permit to operate and dispense medical cannabis in Phillipsburg.

New Jersey’s Medical Marijuana Program will then notify patients and caregivers by email of an opening date. According to a release, TerrAscend officials hope to begin dispensing medical cannabis in the spring.

“We are honored to receive our cultivation permit after meeting the rigorous requirements and operating procedures by NJ DOH,” said Jason Ackerman, executive chairman of TerrAscend in a statement. “TerrAscend is committed to compliance, quality and safety and we look forward to bringing high-quality, trusted brands from TerrAscend’s portfolio to medical-use patients in New Jersey.”

Seven ATCs are currently dispensing medical cannabis in New Jersey: Greenleaf Compassion Center of Montclair, Compassionate Care Foundation of Egg Harbor, Garden State Dispensary of Woodbridge and Union Township, Breakwater Alternative Treatment Center of Cranbury, Curaleaf NJ Inc. in Bellmawr, Harmony Dispensary in Secaucus, and Rise in Paterson.

The operating ATCs currently serve more than 66,200 patients, 2,500 caregivers and 1,092 physicians as the medical cannabis program continues to grow.

TerrAscend is expected to open a dispensary under its retail banner The Apothecarium in the second quarter of 2020, followed by two satellite locations upon regulatory approval. Future expansion plans for the Boonton facility will provide an additional 120,000 square feet and will supply cannabis to TerrAscend’s ATCs and wholesale customers.

The facility could supply cannabis to 15 new retail ATCs expected to be awarded permits this year, according to the company’s press release.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 4:24 p.m. EST to include additional information about TerrAscend’s forthcoming production facility and dispensary.