LAWRENCE, N.J., April 21 (Reuters) - Last year, Xavier Rodriguez got two convictions for marijuana possession expunged from his record, thanks to a new law legalizing the drug in New Jersey.
On Thursday, the 28-year-old was among the initial wave of New Jerseyans waiting in long lines to buy marijuana lawfully, as 13 dispensaries around the state began selling to all residents 21 and older for the first time.
"No more being hassled and having to hide out," said Rodriguez, standing outside the Zen Leaf dispensary in Lawrence, New Jersey, with his 60-year-old mother, Debra, who uses marijuana for pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
Thursday's debut marked the culmination of a decade-long effort by advocates in the state to legalize recreational use and end years of racially unbalanced criminal prosecution. New Jersey is one of 18 states and the District of Columbia to have legalized adult marijuana use.
"We see it as the end of Prohibition 2.0," said Ben Kovler, chief executive of Green Thumb Industries, which operates dispensaries in Paterson and Bloomfield.
The 13 locations are owned by Ascend Wellness Holdings Inc (AAWH.PK), Columbia Care Inc (CCHW.NLB), Acreage Holdings Inc (ACRGau.CD), Green Thumb Industries Inc (GTII.CD), Curaleaf Holdings Inc (CURA.CD), Terrascend Corp (TER.CD) and Verano Holdings Corp (VRNO.CD).
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