This new legal weed store is 2nd to open just blocks from Rutgers main campus

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Puffin, the latest legal cannabis dispensary to open in New Brunswick, fits right in on the George Street strip of trendy bars, taquerias, restaurants and other specialty shops.

The store had a grand opening celebration on Sept. 6., which included a private party for cannabis industry insiders before they opened to the public.

Right on the corner at Church Street, catty-corner from Chipotle, the shop’s covered windows may make it look closed, but inside, it’s vibrant.

Puffin Store is open Sunday-Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, call (732) 378-3346. They offer online pre-orders on their website.

On my visit over the weekend, a dope playlist of tunes like Solange’s “Cranes in the Sky” greeted me as I showed my ID to the security guard outside and enter the lobby. A mural of a puffin bird adorns the wall where you enter the sales floor.

There is a smiling face at the check-in desk to greet you and give you a pamphlet called “Getting Started — Cannabis: The Basics,” a quick info guide to help complete novices know how to choose the right products.

Still need help after you flip through the little book and cruise the product display cases? No problem, a helpful staff member will ask if you need assistance.

Equipped with knowledge of every product and how it will make you feel based on its terpene profile — that’s the chemicals in weed that give it aromas and effects — the budtenders can help you either at the cashier’s counter or at one of the kiosks in the center of the floor.

A mural of a puffin bird, the store’s emblem, adorns the lobby wall where you enter the sales floor.

“I try my best to select our products to give a diverse selection to our customers. An assortment of terpene profiles are available on our menu, as well as strains from major brands like Cookies that have less name recognition,” said Alejandro Benjamin, co-founder and director of operations.

“You can find Gary Payton and Runtz everywhere. I want to encourage consumers to try new things,” he said.

Located at 382 George St., Puffin is just blocks away from the main campus of Rutgers University and public transit. It is surrounded by smoke shops, and is a block and a half away from another weed shop, Earth & Ivy.

It is open Sunday-Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, call (732) 378-3346. They offer online pre-orders on their website.

Equipped with knowledge of every product and how it will make you feel based on its terpene profile, the budtenders can help you either at the cashier’s counter or at one of the kiosks in the center of the floor.

They accept cash and debit cards for payment (charged as an ATM cash withdrawl), and have an ATM onsite for convenience. Their loyalty program is simple to sign up for. Simply give your phone number to your budtender at checkout and reply yes on the confirmation text sent to you. There’s typically a discount on your first purchase.

Puffin carries a wide collection of brands such as Simply Herb, Miss Grass, Branson Harlem, Edie Parker, Verano, The Botanist, Savvy, Ozone, Tyson, Kind Tree, Gage, 1906, Hedy and many more.

They also are well-stocked with accessories like sheets, vaporizers, glassware, designer ashtrays, rolling trays and storage solutions from companies such as Her Highness and Blazy Susan as well as Puffin branded merchandise.

I picked up a pack of All Times pre-rolled joints by Miss Grass ($34) and an Early Bird pack of pre-rolls from Flower x Edie Parker ($24) at the suggestion of my budtender after I told him how I prefer to feel. My total came to $58, but I got a discount of $13.52 for being a first time customer (20% off) and joining the rewards program (10%).

Puffin Store is well-stocked with accessories such as sheets, vaporizers, glassware, designer ashtrays, rolling trays and storage solutions from companies such as Her Highness and Blazy Susan as well as Puffin branded merchandise.

I was impressed by both the atmosphere and the design of this weed shop. Within the last year, the legal weed market has expanded into shops of all sizes, and has developed some truly unique spaces that offer different consumer experiences. I can’t wait to see how the next shop stands out!

Have a question about consuming weed? Ask me anything.

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The 47 shops where adults can buy recreational weed in N.J.

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Gabby Warren is NJ.com’s Cannabis Life reporter. She’ll be covering all things weed retail, commerce and culture.

EDITOR’S NOTE: NJ Cannabis Insider, NJ.com’s B2B cannabis industry trade journal and events vertical, is hosting the state’s first major business conference on Oct. 12. Tickets are limited.