HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Police report: On April 19, 2022 at 3:05 a.m. Hamilton Police were detailed to the 500 Block of Lalor Street on a report of a residential shooting. Responding officers from Trenton Police and Hamilton Police found two victims who sustained gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to an area hospital for treatment. Anyone who has information relevant to this investigation is urged to contact Detective Nicholas Schulte of the Hamilton Police Criminal Investigations Section at (609) 689-5825 or by email: nschulte@hamiltonpd.org. Information can also be left on the Hamilton Police Division’s Crime Tip Line (609) 581-4008.
Original MidJersey.news report here:
April 19, 2022
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 3:13 a.m. Hamilton Fire Department, RWJ EMS and Capital Health Paramedics were detailed to the 500 Block of Lalor Street for a gunshot victim. A few moments later Trenton Police Department reported that they were on location and had two people shot 1 male and 1 female at the scene.
EMS reported that they had 2 victims, both shot in the head and neck and were calling the hospital for a “Trauma Alert” Two victims were transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center.
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Around 1:25 p.m. Monroe Township, East Windsor and Hightstown Fire Departments responded a car fire on Route 33 east bound. Firefighters round the car well involved in fire in front of 680 Route 33 in the center median near Twin Rivers Drive. Firefighters arrived and quickly knocked down the fire. No further details are available.
Some customers waited in line for over 2+ hours on the first day of legal sales.
April 21, 2022
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Customers waited in lines as long as the DMV was during Covid for their first fully legal recreational cannabis sales that started today on April 21, 2022. Customers told MidJersey.News that some were waiting in long lines for over 2+ hours at Zenleaf Dispensary in Lawrenceville as lines wrapped around the building.
Press pool story by: Brent Johnson
Gov. Phil Murphy joined New Jersey’s top two state lawmakers Thursday on a tour of a dispensary as legal recreational marijuana sales began in the state.
“Congratulations,” Murphy told officials and staff members as he walked around Zen Leaf in Elizabeth, one of 12 locations that opened for adults 21 and over to buy weed legally.
Murphy got applause from people in line as he entered the facility, five years after he campaigned on legalizing marijuana. He was joined on the tour by state Senate President Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, state Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, and Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage.
Murphy asked Coughlin: “You trying anything?”
“No,” Coughlin replied. “You?”
“No,” Murphy said.
The governor noted this week marijuana is “not my thing” and he prefers Scotch.
Murphy also congratulated Scutari, who led the legislative effort for years to legalize pot.
“Congratulations,” Murphy said. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Thanks for the help,” Scutari said.
Zen Leaf General Manager Sonny Achrekar told Murphy there are separate lines for recreational and medical customers. He also said the dispensary opens for one hour each at the start and end of the day for patients only.
A staff member showed Murphy and the officials a bottle of sour watermelon gummies that cost $80 a bottle.
Cashier was Israel DeJesus told Murphy that sales Thursday are expected to be “off the charts” and they have extra staff coming in.
“Thanks to you, man, everything is possible,” DeJesus told the governor. “This is what everyone is waiting for.”
Photos by: Brian McCarthy, OnScene News
Long lines wrap around the building at Zenleaf, Lawrenceville:
Press Pool Photos below by: Michael Mancuso
Find a legal licensed dispensary at the following link:
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER) – Governor Phil Murphy today marked the historic opening day of adult-use recreational cannabis sales in New Jersey at Zen Leaf in Elizabeth – one of several facilities across the state now selling cannabis to adults 21 years and older. The commencement of the adult-use recreational cannabis market represents another step forward in New Jersey’s ongoing efforts to create a new cannabis industry that continues to prioritize medical marijuana patients and advance social justice initiatives.
After careful consideration of necessary regulations for the cannabis industry and thorough review of various applicants, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) recently approved seven alternative treatment centers – sites already selling medical marijuana – to begin selling recreational cannabis to the adult-use market. The CRC confirmed these seven treatment centers, which operate 13 facilities in 11 different counties, will be able to meet critical requirements, such as ensuring enough supply for medical marijuana patients and meeting social equity standards.
The overarching goal of these efforts is to make New Jersey’s industry able to stand as a model for other states in the nation in ensuring racial, social, and economic equity and justice. Additional applicants are currently under review as the State works to grow the industry to serve as an engine of economic growth, a generator of new, good-paying jobs, and a vehicle for ongoing social equity efforts.
“From day one, my administration has worked with our partners in the Legislature to advance social justice on behalf of the communities disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition by working to expunge cannabis-related convictions, decriminalize possession, and establish an equitable cannabis industry,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “The first sale of legal, adult-use cannabis today marks a historic moment for New Jersey, as we leave behind the indefensible practices that led to the incarceration of countless people of color and embrace the opportunities of a fair, regulated adult-use market. It is a moment that required long hours of work to make sure we got it right the first time, and I am proud of our efforts to get to this point. With today’s launch, my administration will continue working to grow a cannabis industry that reflects the diversity of our state, protects access for medical marijuana patients, prioritizes justice, and promotes equal opportunities for communities of color.”
“It is an exciting time for New Jersey cannabis enthusiasts. I am proud of the work the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission has done to lead us to the market opening,” said Cannabis Regulatory Commission Chair Dianna Houenou. “While today is an important moment for New Jersey, it marks only the beginning of the better and more robust industry that is to come. I am excited for the market we ultimately hope to establish – with successful local businesses that reflect the diversity of our state.”
To ensure medical marijuana patients continue to receive the treatment they need, each of the alternative treatment centers approved by the CRC confirmed their ability to continue providing access to existing patients and prioritize their needs through strategies such as patient-specific hours and parking spaces.
Alternative treatment centers approved by the CRC to sell to the adult-use market are also required to meet critical social equity standards, including providing technical information to new cannabis businesses owned by individuals who have lived in economically-disadvantaged areas or have had cannabis-related convictions in the past. The centers will continuously be assessed on hiring and management diversity, support for community programs, and the percentage of minority-owned vendors or suppliers with which they contract. 70% of the sales tax collected on adult use cannabis sales will also go towards communities affected by marijuana-related arrests to further these social justice and equity goals.
“This is a milestone that marks real progress in creating a new cannabis industry that creates jobs, generates economic activity and offers opportunities to the communities that were hurt the most by the failed policy that criminalized marijuana,” said Senate President Nick Scutari, the architect of both the medical marijuana and adult use cannabis laws. “By replacing the past drug laws with a regulated system for adult use cannabis we are ending an era that wasted criminal justice resources, damaged the economic wellbeing of communities and destroyed lives. I hope to see more progress in the expansion of the cannabis market so that New Jersey continues to be a leader with the most significant social justice reforms of our time.”
“Today’s launch marks the latest major milestone in what has been a long journey to stand up an adult-use market in New Jersey,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. “As these initial retailers begin New Jersey’s first recreational sales, I am particularly excited to see the growth trajectory of the industry and what will be achieved for our economy through reinvestments into our communities.”
“This historic day represents the culmination of our work to put an end to the cannabis prohibition and bolster New Jersey’s economic development with the introduction of the adult-use cannabis market,” said Assemblywoman Annette Quijano. “I am proud to have sponsored legislation that made today possible.”
“New Jersey has entered a new era,” said Assemblyman Reginald Atkins. “With this industry, there will be job growth, investment opportunities, and increased tax revenues that will propel our State’s economy forward.”
“Today, only sixteen months after New Jersey’s residents voted overwhelmingly to amend our state constitution, approved stores across New Jersey will begin selling cannabis for adult recreational use,” said Sam Ferraino, UFCW Local 360 president. “Getting to this point has not been easy or smooth, but a determined coalition of stakeholders led by Governor Murphy and Senate President Scutari made sure we never lost momentum, or focus. We have worked to make sure that this industry prioritizes the needs of communities and provide career opportunities for workers in this new industry, which has led to vote after vote in favor of unionizing – including two in just the last week. And we built a process that gives extra consideration to businesses applications submitted by people from economically disadvantaged areas, or with a prior cannabis conviction. That is why I am so grateful to be here today, representing thousands of United Food and Commercial Workers union members, as we enter into this new era.”
“We cannot say enough about Governor Murphy’s first term agenda of legalizing adult-use cannabis,” said New Jersey CannaBusiness Association President Edmund DeVeaux. “He never wavered from the possibility of achieving some measure of social justice and economic parity for those harmed by the failed War on Drugs. Today we celebrate the mutual efforts of government, business, and the advocacy community.”
“This is a long-awaited and historic day supported by an overwhelming majority of voters,” said Bill Caruso, Chair of Archer Law’s Cannabis Group and longtime cannabis activist. “The beginning of safe, regulated access to adult-use cannabis sales will help to create new jobs and economic opportunities here in the Garden State as well as new tax revenue that can be reinvested in communities and restorative justice initiatives. Congrats to Governor Murphy, the Legislature, the CRC, as well as the advocacy community and industry partners for making this day a reality!”
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–At 11:21 p.m. last night April 20, 2022 the Robbinsville Township Fire Department was detailed to the 100 Block of Voelbel Road for a house fire. Robbinsville firefighters arrived about 11:25 p.m. and reported fire showing from the front of the building, and stretched a hand line to the front of the building. Fire crews called for an “All Hands” (full 1st alarm) sending additional mutual aid to the scene from surrounding departments. Within 10 minutes of arrival firefighters had the fire quickly knocked down and under control. The fire was reported electrical in nature. No additional information is available at this time.
Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash at 3:43 a.m. on the New Jersey Turnpike north on the outer roadway, mile post 63.4, Robbinsville, Mercer County.
Based on a preliminary investigation, Franklin S. Parker, a 36 year-old male of Eden, MD, was operating a tractor trailer northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike in the area of mile post. 63.4, the tractor trailer entered the left shoulder and struck the left guardrail, overturned, and impacted a concrete bridge support. As a result of the crash Franklin S. Parker sustained fatal injuries. The crash remains under investigation and there is no additional information available at the moment.
April 21, 2022
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Around 3:47 a.m. multiple 9-1-1 calls were received reporting a serious crash involving a tractor trailer on the NJ Turnpike at mile post 63.5 north bound (North of Exit 7A — Between Exit 7A and Exit 8). Hightstown and Robbinsville Fire Departments were sent to the scene for an extrication. Robbinsville EMS, East Windsor EMS, and Captial Health Paramedics were also on scene. Medivac 2 from Hackensack University Medical Center flew to the scene and cleared at 5:28 a.m. A victim was pronounced at the scene about the same time. The NJ Turnpike was closed for the investigation and clean up but some lanes have since reopened.
This is a breaking news report from the scene and radio reports, once official information becomes available the story will be updated with information from NJSP.
Crash on New Jersey Turnpike Outer Roadway northbound North of Interchange 7A – I-195 (Robbinsville) 2 Left lanes of 3 lanes blocked https://t.co/a2SpFriLpj
Delays on New Jersey Turnpike Outer Roadway northbound North of Interchange 7A – I-195 (Robbinsville) All lanes open 2 mile delay due to an incident on the NJ Turnpike https://t.co/3zkcxSIg7y
Delays on New Jersey Turnpike Inner Roadway northbound South of Interchange 7A – I-195 (Hamilton Twp) to North of Interchange 7A – I-195 (Robbinsville) All lanes open 4 mile delay due to an incident on the NJ Turnpike https://t.co/goDCUe709O
Delays on New Jersey Turnpike Inner Roadway northbound South of Interchange 7A – I-195 (Hamilton Twp) to North of Interchange 7A – I-195 (Robbinsville) All lanes open 6 mile delay due to an incident on the NJ Turnpike https://t.co/cLEtiUglpM
Delays on New Jersey Turnpike Outer Roadway northbound North of Interchange 7A – I-195 (Robbinsville) All lanes open 2 1/2 mile delay due to an incident on the NJ Turnpike https://t.co/vKf5Uio0Om
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