Monmouth County's Newest Pot Dispensary Opened Wednesday

NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Monmouth County's newest marijuana dispensary opened Wednesday.

It's called Pink Balloon Dispensary and it's located at 3536 Rt. 66 in Neptune.

They had tents outside, plus giveaways and an ice cream truck Wednesday, and the opening was expected to be attended by Neptune Twp. Mayor Kevin McMillan, Deputy Mayor Derel Stroud and state Sen. Vin Gopal.

Pink Balloon Dispensary is co-founded by Monmouth County physician Dr. Mike Aquino, M.D., a gastroenterologist based in Oakhurst, and Teri Festa, who comes from the hospitality industry.

The store's tagline is "goodbye, gravity" — "the lighter, unburdened feeling many customers are really after," according to a company press release.

"So much of cannabis retail has been designed for people who already know what they're doing — like opening a ski resort with nothing but black-diamond runs," said Festa. "We built Pink Balloon for everyone else, too — the electrician, the teacher, the nurse, the retiree who's curious but has never walked in."

"As a physician, I believe people make better decisions when they're informed and comfortable," said co-founder Dr. Aquino. "That means leading with education and transparency, and building a team and a space where everyone, customers and employees alike, feels they belong."

Pink Balloon Neptune Twp. will be open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Entry is limited to adults 21 and older with valid government-issued ID. You have to park in an adjacent parking lot and walk over.

Several store employees are on the autism spectrum, and their Aug. 19 pre-opening celebration benefited Autism NJ.