When cannabis was first legalized in New Jersey in 2021, it began a new buzzing business in dispensaries opening up all around. Four years later, and that has not stopped. Rowan University’s campus is the newest area to be introduced to these. With the recent opening of Jersey Joint and the soon-to-open Altius now occupying the campus grounds, it is hard to avoid. Students were quick to let their stance on them be known 

While Altius is still waiting for its grand opening, Jersey Joint has already been open since July 25. President and CEO Dustin Alvino had a lengthy process to get the business up and running, even with owning the building since 2020. There were still issues of other tenants, COVID-19, the building being in rough shape, and even a leftover old tank from an older family who owned it. 

It would all work out with the business opening up to positive support from friends, family, and the community that is dear to Alvino. Not just providing cannabis for the community, but additionally vinyl records, Chinese holistic medicine, crystals, and traveling backpacks. Covering a large array of items that cannabis users may need. 

“I grew up here, and if you talk to any of my staff, everyone is from in and around South Jersey. It was important for me that I brought people that have kind of an affinity for South Jersey and want to see this place successful. Obviously, all my friends and family, everybody, supporting us and shopping here,” said Alvino. 

The support extends to the campus. Freshman Aiden Daza likes the idea of more of them starting to open up. 

“I just think it’s cool. Seeing more open up around. You know, new thing,” said Daza. 

He expanded on that, acknowledging the health benefits that come from more dispensaries opening up. Other students voiced the same point.

“It’s much better for people’s health because if it’s a dispensary, it’s not going to be laced or anything. That’s like one of the biggest issues with buying off-street buyers. That’s like the best part about dispensaries, you know it’s going to be safe,” said Daza.  

For Alvino, the health aspect of it is important. It has been a healthy and useful substance for him throughout his life. Though it is still seen negatively by the older generations. 

“They demonized cannabis for so long that the older generation they just can’t understand that cannabis is actually a much safer, let’s call it substance, than alcohol. I mean, alcohol is literally poisoning you when you drink it. Cannabis is not doing anything like that,” said Alvino.

For some students, like sophomore psychology major Jason Rivera, that does not matter much. Rivera does not see too much positive in the opening of these dispensaries. Saying that, there are people who need it for medication. It is a gateway to bad habits and is just for profit. 

“I feel like it just leads people to fall into temptation. It leads people to do things they don’t want to do and conform to the patterns of the world because of how open it is and how easy it is to access these substances. Which does not increase health at all of human beings, especially teenagers,” said Rivera.

He continued by saying how it will open doors to issues that will be hard to get out of once started. Understanding how easily humans get attached to things, it is not safe to pile on other issues on top of it. 

Alvino is not trying to do any of that or cause any issues. Despite being next to the campus, knowing it could be a captive market, he wasn’t going into it with the sole intention of being in a college town. 

“It was more that I wanted to do something from my hometown, South Jersey, Gloucester County. The opportunity kind of came together, and it gave me a great excuse to put my money at work in the area that I grew up,” said Alvino. 

So far, the relationship between students and the dispensary has been great. He has connected with fraternities and sororities, and has had students coming through to check out the shop. With about 15% of customers being students, he would like to set up opportunities to help students out. Even going as far as wanting to begin a partnership with Rowan. Allowing students to have internships to gain credits and payment. 

For Alvino, the students’ understanding of the vibe and the energy is what matters to him. Not setting it up to feel like every other dispensary. Wanting the passion and love to be felt. 

“The energy and the vibe is super important to me, and that starts at the top with me, and then works its way down, and then the customers are gonna feel that when you walk in … This was a family project, and it was a passion project. So hopefully that shows when you walk through the door, just feels different,” said Alvino. 

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