Jeff Brown

.Though legal recreational marijuana sales have begun after a surprising delay, a Senate panel scrutinized the new industry at a 4 1/2 hour hearing.

Seven alternative treatment centers got initial approvals Monday from the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to begin adult-use sales at 13 existing medical dispensaries.

Starting in a few weeks, any adult will be able to purchase marijuana for recreational use at 13 medical dispensaries around New Jersey.

State regulators put off a planned vote Thursday on allowing some medical marijuana dispensaries to begin selling to recreational users, which probably delays the start of legal adult-use sales until summer.

One year ago Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the law legalizing the adult use of recreational marijuana in New Jersey – but don’t run out to a state-regulated dispensary to celebrate.

Half of the 14 new licenses for medical marijuana went to businesses in Central Jersey. Four of 14 would grow and sell at dispensaries. Ten are cultivators.

Interim rules set licensing priorities, fees and more but leave some details for later. A date to start sales isn't set but must happen by Feb. 15.

Despite receiving approval from two-thirds of voters last November, Cannabis Regulatory Commission chair Dianna Houneou said some officials are holding onto a ‘war on drugs’ mentality, writing bans even before knowing what the regulations will look like.

A new tool is being used to help those addicted to opioids successfully complete the detoxification process – medical marijuana.