Here's how much people spent on marijuana on first day of NJ legal weed sales

TRENTON - Customers bought nearly $2 million of legal weed for recreational use last Thursday, the first day New Jersey medical marijuana dispensaries were allowed to sell to all adults over 21 years old.

According to the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, the 12 medical marijuana dispensaries open for adult use sold $1.9 million of legal weed to 12,438 customers on the first day sales were open for recreational use.

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CRC Executive Director Jeff Brown said Wednesday that the state's medical marijuana supply wasn't negatively impacted by the beginning of recreational marijuana sales. The state's 23 medical marijuana dispensaries — only 12 of which have begun recreational sales — sold more than 5,400 ounces of medical marijuana to their patients on April 20, the day before recreational sales began.

And in the five days afterward, the dispensaries sold another 7,500 ounces to patients.

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“We expected sales to be substantial, and the data shows that the market is effectively serving both adult-use consumers and patients,” Brown said.

“We continue to monitor inventory and access for patients and are prepared to take enforcement action against any (alternative treatment center) that does not meet the requirements for patient access and supply," he said.

Mike Davis has spent the last decade covering New Jersey local news, marijuana legalization, transportation and a little bit of everything else. He's won a few awards that make his parents very proud. Contact him at mdavis@gannettnj.com or @byMikeDavis on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ legal weed sales: How much marijuana was sold on the first day?