New Jersey is getting close to becoming the 19th state where recreational marijuana is sold.

Seven medical marijuana dispensaries in the Garden State were given the green light to sell recreational pot at 13 locations in a vote by the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission on April 11, but the official licenses have not yet been issued.

What does that mean for people looking to buy pre-rolled marijuana joints, edibles or an ounce of “flower”? We asked two experts: longtime legalization advocate Chris Goldstein of NORML, and attorney Rob DiPisa, who represents marijuana companies on real estate and compliance issues.

When Will Recreational Marijuana Be Available in NJ?

New Jersey lawmakers purposefully left deadlines out of marijuana legislation. They were concerned, in part, that a rush to allow legal sales would lead to supply shortages and long lines, Goldstein said. Despite the lack of deadlines, Goldstein as well as officials with the state’s CRC expressed optimism following the April 11 approvals that “opening day” for recreational weed could come by early May.

Supply problems create the most worrisome issue for prospective buyers in the months ahead. Also, frustrations for mom-and-pop retail shops could mount if licenses for smaller pot businesses are not issued for awhile, Goldstein and DePisa said. [Read more at NBC10]