CANNABIS OPPORTUNITIES: This recent event at NJ Pure Weed Dispensary & Delivery in Edgewater Park provided information about the responsible way to include cannabis, whether medicinal or recreational, into one’s lifestyle. In addition, it included a master painter’s instruction on the basics of painting, followed by participants having an opportunity to create their own painting.
By Jean Stratton
Change. It is a major force in everyone’s life. Whether it is thrust upon you or the result of one’s own decision, it will happen. You can count on it.
It may be a source of concern if it is a plunge into the unknown, or it can be an exciting opportunity for a new direction, a new experience, a new adventure.
Dr. Lekha Tull, DDS, MAGD, DABDSM, MBA, saw this latter choice as the right move for her. After almost 40 years of offering full service general dentistry in Princeton, in 2024 she opened NJ Pure Weed Dispensary & Delivery in Edgewater Park on Route 130 in Burlington County.
This location was available, and not all municipalities allow the establishment of cannabis dispensaries, explains Tull. “It is limited where you can open a dispensary. It is an interesting commentary that you can go into a drug store and see row after row of over-the-counter pain relief products, which can have side effects, while cannabis has been used for thousands of years, and yet it has been illegal.”
NEW DIRECTION: “The majority of my time and focus are now on NJ Pure and cannabis education,” says Dr. Lekha Tull, DDS, MAGD, DABDSM, MBA, founder, director, and owner of NJ Pure Weed & Delivery Dispensary. “However, I do still see longtime, established dental patients at my Princeton office, where I am happy to give them state-of-the-art care.”
Cannabis Topical
Tull’s interest in the product became personal when she was injured in an accident in 2017.
“I was riding my bike and was hit by a car. I had severe pain in my neck, shoulders, and knees, although I had lengthy physical therapy, and was treated by orthopedists. After two years of no improvement, I began to see an acupuncturist, and it was the acupuncturist who introduced me to CBD cream, a cannabis topical. I tried it for pain relief, and I was amazed at how quickly it helped reduce the pain.
“I began to lock into it and talked with various physicians about the many ways cannabis can help people. In addition to relieving pain, including from arthritis, it can help sleep problems, sleep apnea, digestive problems, and also relieve anxiety.”
She began to think seriously about opening a dispensary, with a special focus on educating people about cannabis and its benefits. It was necessary to obtain a license before she could open the dispensary.
“I am passionate about educating people,” explains Tull. “Now I have a job to do to help them learn about this. I am constantly educating myself, and the challenge is that there is so much to learn about the product. It is constantly evolving, and keeping up to date is crucial.”
Continuing education has also been a big part of her dental practice, both for herself and for patients. A graduate of Northwestern University Dental School (where she also earned a master’s degree in human genetics), she opened her full-service general dentistry practice in Princeton in 1986. Over the years, she has enjoyed all aspects of the opportunities to help her patients with state-of-the-art treatment.
“Happy Smiles”
She still enjoys seeing longtime patients, but her son Dr. Janak Tull is now overseeing the main practice.
Tull is proud that he is providing patients with skilled and professional care. “Janak is doing an amazing job continuing the family tradition of ‘Making Happy and Beautiful Smiles!’”
With the new chapter in her professional life, she believes she is continuing to educate and inform people as she had in her dental practice, just in a new way and with a new focus.
“I feel that one can never stop learning,” she says. “With cannabis, there is so much we don’t know. We have not even scratched the surface, and there are lots of opportunities for research.”
Tull has assembled an expert staff of 15, willing and able to help answer questions and advise clients on the best products for their needs.
“I am in constant communication with the staff, and completely involved with the dispensary,” she says. “I am also constantly investigating products and learning all I can.”
Medicinal and Recreational
NJ Pure offers both a medicinal and recreational focus. As Tull explains, “The majority of our clients are interested in something to help reduce anxiety, sleep problems, and pain. More and more people are interested in learning about the benefits of cannabis, and we are very encouraged with the response to NJ Pure.
“We see between 5,000 to 6,000 customers per month, and three quarters are repeats. Typical ages are 25 to 40, but we also have customers 60 and older. The minimum age is 21. Interest in cannabis is definitely increasing at all levels.”
In addition to the dispensary, NJ Pure has an extensive delivery program with service to Princeton (with many regular customers), other areas of New Jersey, and Bucks Country, Pa. Online purchases are also a growing part of the business.
Tull believes NJ Pure is set apart in numerous ways. For one thing, its products have a New Jersey focus. “We highlight New Jersey-grown cannabis, cultivated with care and attention to detail,” she says. “Supporting local farmers means fresher products for you and stronger roots for our community.”
“Also,” she continues, “Every product of NJ Pure is lab-tested for quality, potency, and safety. Purity is more than a word; it is our promise.”
“I have also made an effort to keep everything affordable, so our products can be available to more people,” she adds. “Items can cost from $5 to $15 and up, with $15 and $18 the most typical.”
“We also have an app on the Apple App Store as well as the Google Play Store, where customers can download the app to make shopping easier. It tracks all their purchases, and they also get first alerts for any sales or new products right onto their apps.”
Full Range
Visitors to NJ Pure will find a full range of cannabis and related accessories. Flower, pre-rolls (joints), edibles, vape pens, topicals, tinctures, concentrates, and all accessories are available, And the knowledgeable staff is always ready to share information.
“Pre-rolls are the most popular items,” reports Tull. “They can be both calming and stimulating.”
In addition to offering an extensive product line, NJ Pure is committed to becoming an important part of the community, and a friendly, colorful place to visit. Tull designed the inviting decor, including bright colors, plants, and appealing surroundings.
“We have community events once a month, which are educational, fun, and bring people together in a positive, creative, and welcoming environment,” she explains. “We offer different activities, such as tie-dye workshops, painting instruction, how to roll a joint, etc. We also have classes on how to care for the accessories, for example, how to clean the bong (smoking device), and others.
“This is part of our commitment to community engagement and wellness education. Our hands-on community classes feature local artists and professionals. For Mother’s Day, we invited a master florist to teach guests how to create their own flower bouquets, which many participants took home as gifts for their mothers.”
Unique Experiences
“We are always looking for ways to involve and support the local community by collaborating with local artists, educators, and small businesses to create unique experiences for our guests,” she says. “In addition, we hold raffles, with winners receiving gifts, including pre-rolls, gummies, etc.”
Establishing a high-quality cannabis dispensary has been a proud achievement for Tull. She is dedicated to this new chapter in her life, introducing and sharing the benefits of cannabis with more people, and educating them about the product. “I love what I am doing. I feel that I am making a difference in people’s lives and helping them to learn how cannabis can help them.”
She fully supports NJ Pure’s mission statement, emphasizing that “At NJ Pure, our mission is bigger than cannabis. We aim to educate, inspire, and empower our customers to make informed decisions about their wellness and lifestyle. We see cannabis as a way to bring people together. From wellness events and product knowledge session to community outreach programs, we are always looking for ways to give back and grow alongside the neighborhoods we serve.
“We are more than just a cannabis dispensary—we’re a destination for those who want the best cannabis in New Jersey, without compromise. From our craft, locally grown flower to our carefully curated line of lab-tested products, everything we do is built on the foundation of purity, education, and community. Whether you are new to cannabis or a longtime connoisseur, our mission is simple: to provide high-end cannabis at affordable prices, while making the journey fun, informative, and rewarding.
“The future of cannabis in New Jersey is bright, and NJ Pure is here to lead the way.”
The dispensary is located at 4313 Route 130 South, Suite B-5, Hoover Plaza, Edgewater Park. It is open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For further information, call (234) 565-7873. Visit the website at njpure.net.