Last verified: March 2026

The Shore Opt-Out Problem

If you are heading to the Jersey Shore expecting to find dispensaries in every beach town, you will need to adjust your expectations. The reality is that most shore communities have opted out of allowing cannabis retail businesses within their borders.

Under New Jersey's CREAMM Act, each municipality has the right to decide whether to allow cannabis businesses. Along the shore, this opt-out has been the dominant choice. Towns like Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights, Long Beach Island, Wildwood, Cape May, and many others have decided not to allow dispensaries. This is part of a statewide pattern: approximately 63% of all NJ municipalities have opted out of retail cannabis sales.

For shore visitors, this creates what the industry calls "retail deserts" — large geographic areas where there is no physical dispensary to visit. But it does not mean you cannot access legal cannabis at the shore. Two solutions exist, and they are both good ones.

Solution 1: Atlantic City

Atlantic City is the shore's cannabis hub, and it has leaned into the role enthusiastically. AC now has more dispensaries than casinos — a remarkable transformation for a city historically defined by gambling. Notable dispensaries include:

• High Rollers — located in the Claridge Hotel on the Boardwalk, with an approved consumption lounge
• SunnyTien — also approved for a consumption lounge, giving AC two legal on-site consumption venues
• Design 710 — quality products and experienced staff
• MPX NJ — strong concentrate and extract selection
• The Botanist — clean, organized, beginner-friendly

If your shore vacation puts you within driving distance of Atlantic City — and most Jersey Shore destinations are within 30–90 minutes — a trip to AC for cannabis is well worth it. You get the widest product selection on the shore, competitive prices, and the only consumption lounges south of Newark.

For a full guide, see our Atlantic City Dispensaries page.

Solution 2: Delivery Covers Everywhere

Even in towns that have opted out of retail dispensaries, cannabis delivery is legal and available. Licensed delivery services operate statewide, reaching every corner of New Jersey — including every shore town, regardless of local opt-out status.

How it works:

1. Browse a dispensary's online menu or use a delivery platform
2. Place your order and provide your delivery address (your shore rental, hotel, etc.)
3. Show your ID when the driver arrives (21+ verification at delivery)
4. Receive your products in sealed, compliant packaging

Popular Delivery Services

• TerpTaxi — one of NJ's most established cannabis delivery platforms, covering shore communities
• Weedies — another popular delivery option with broad shore coverage
• Dispensary-direct delivery — many licensed dispensaries run their own delivery fleets that reach shore areas

Delivery fees typically range from $5–$20 and are often waived on orders over $50. Depending on your location and the dispensary's delivery zone, deliveries usually arrive within 1–3 hours. Planning ahead and ordering early in your stay is recommended — delivery demand spikes on summer weekends.

Shore Town Status Overview

Here is a general overview of the cannabis retail status along the Jersey Shore. Municipal decisions can change, so always verify with the CRC for the latest information:

This table is for general guidance. Municipal opt-in/opt-out decisions can change. Always verify current status with the CRC.

Beach Rules: What You Need to Know

Even at the shore, New Jersey's cannabis consumption rules apply in full:

• No smoking or vaping on the beach. New Jersey beaches are public property, and cannabis consumption is prohibited in all public places. Many shore towns have separate no-smoking ordinances for beaches that apply to all smoking, including cannabis.
• No consumption on the boardwalk. Boardwalks are public spaces where cannabis consumption is not permitted.
• No consumption in rental common areas. If you are in a multi-unit rental building, consumption in shared hallways, lobbies, pools, or decks may be prohibited. Check your rental agreement.
• Private property only. The legal place to consume is inside your rental property (if the owner/host allows it) or at a licensed consumption lounge in Atlantic City.

Shore Vacation Cannabis Checklist

• Before you leave home: Check if your shore destination has opted in or out. If opted out, identify delivery options or plan a trip to Atlantic City.
• On arrival day: Place a delivery order or drive to the nearest dispensary. Do not wait until the weekend.
• Check your rental agreement: Many shore rentals prohibit smoking of any kind indoors. Edibles, tinctures, and topicals are smoke-free alternatives that may be permitted where smoking is not.
• Bring cash: If visiting a dispensary, cash is always accepted. Delivery orders may offer debit payment.
• Know the possession limit: You can possess up to 6 ounces of flower. A 1-ounce purchase at a dispensary is enough for most week-long vacations.
• Store securely: Keep cannabis in its sealed packaging, out of reach of children, and away from heat (edibles melt in shore summer heat).

Getting Around the Shore

If you need to reach a dispensary from a shore town that has opted out, here are your transit options:

• Driving: The Garden State Parkway runs the length of the shore. Atlantic City is accessible from most shore points within 30–90 minutes.
• NJ Transit buses: Several routes connect shore towns to larger cities with dispensaries.
• Rideshare: Uber and Lyft operate throughout the shore region. Round-trip to AC from most central shore points runs $40–$80.
• Jitney (within AC): $2.75, runs 24 hours along Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City.