Graphic by John Lugo / SOC Images.
As you head down Bergenline Avenue, you may have noticed a number of local businesses that have closed or left the area. In their place, storefronts many locals once recognized are now increasingly being filled by smoke shops and dispensaries.
The rise of these smoke shops and cannabis-related storefronts along Bergenline Avenue reflects how Hudson County neighborhoods are evolving. While many locals may see their once-favorite store no longer exists, it may be confusing to see these new stores sell products that not many understand what it is. Based on recent data, cannabis consumption in New Jersey has grown significantly with over 20% of adults reporting cannabis use within the past year, according to NJ.Gov…