By WILLIAM CLARK
Neptune has given approval for one more cannabis business in the township, although it will not be a retail store.
Victory Natural Farms received approval for a manufacturing and cultivation permit on Heck Avenue.
The business joins GDBS Distribution LLC and Jersey Shore Ventures, adding to the ranks of cannabis non-retail outfits for cannabis in the township.
Township Economic Developer Bernie Haney said that all three are awaiting full licenses from the state to begin operating.
Haney said that all three businesses will be located on Heck Avenue and be “nonpublic facing properties” as opposed to Zen Leaf, the town’s only retailer, which is located on Route 66.
“The difference is that the new guys could be here for 100 years and people won’t know where they are,” Haney said.
Haney said the township is honored to be able to host several cannabis based businesses and said that each have made themselves a part of the fabric of Neptune.
“We want operators that are going to care about and involve themselves with the town,” Haney said. “All applicants have been very committed to Neptune Township and very committed to what we’re trying to do.”
Victory Natural Farms will be owned by a veteran and will strive to provide work opportunities to veterans.
The company also hopes to fund scholarships for local students.
“The cannabis business is new and we have to show people that there’s a lot of plusses that come out of this business,” Haney said. “It’s not the days of people getting high, most are using them for medicinal purposes.
As for the already operating retailer, Zen Leaf has been a model neighbor, Haney said. Although the township has received phone calls with issues regarding parking or patrons cutting through the adjacent neighborhood, Haney said the business has quickly resolved any issues that arises from their operations.
“I reach out and within an hour there’s communication. They are a great neighbor,” Haney said.
Other hopeful retailers have submitted applications to the township.
“We’ll see what’s happening with those,” he said.
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