Jersey City Cannabis Dispensaries to Be Capped, Control Board Hearings Continue
Jersey City Council Moves to Cap Cannabis Dispensaries Amid Controversial Approvals and Denials.
The Jersey City Council is moving to cap cannabis dispensaries while the Cannabis Control Board nearly revoked Garden Greenz’s approval, denied Local Modiv, and approved others.
The Council passed a law to cap the number of dispensaries at 48 at their Council meeting on first reading.
It needs to pass the Council again at the next meeting on second reading to become law.
Previously, the number of Jersey City Cannabis dispensaries was unlimited. However, distance concerns of being too close led the Council to stop allowing new ones. The City Council has already approved 46 dispensaries to open.
Kreme of the Pot was approved as the 47th Jersey City Cannabis dispensary last night too.
However, Heady NJ has heard talk some will not be able to open. A city official said they are aware of this. So, they want to be able to revoke approvals to limit them.
A previous attempt to cap Jersey City dispensary approvals failed. However, a cap on new dispensary applications was previously passed by the Council.
Garden Greenz Nearly Loses License Over Homophobic Comment
The Jersey City Cannabis Control Board (CCB) nearly revoked Garden Greenz’s approval, denied Local Modiv, and approved a politically connected dispensary at their most recent meeting.
Garden Greenz, which has been operating on the downtown Newark Pedestrian Plaza, was up for the first renewal of its annual license.
The grower Garden Greens is a separate company.
“We do have a very, very diverse staff. We’re very community-oriented,” Garden Greenz owner Brian Markey explained.
“This is the only cannabis establishment we get complaints about. I feel uncomfortable even having to say this,” CCB Chair Brittani Bunney said. “There is a lot of harassment going on the plaza.”
“Never from me,” Markey said.
Accusations of Harrasement
Bunney said they saw videos of his associate Frank Robinson saying hateful things while standing next to him.
Commissioner Jeff Kaplowitz said he saw the video of a homophobic comment by Robinson.
“Using the “n-word, using the “f word,” threatening, violence, in intimidation of another business there,” he declared.
“It was truly disturbing!” Bunney exclaimed. “You guys are like menaces to other businesses.”
“You’re standing next to someone… discriminating against the LGBTQ community!” she added.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Markey said.
“The word “faggot” brought a tear to my eye,” CCB attorney Ron Mondello declared.
Bunney also said they urinated on a sign of the nearby Cream dispensary.
“We don’t get complaints about anybody but Garden Greenz. It’s about Frank. Brian, I like you. I don’t know how you could stand next to him,” she explained.
Markey requested an adjournment so he could have an attorney present.
“You should have thought of that before,” Mondello said. “He’s certainly entitled to that.”
“I request that Frank doesn’t harass any of us!” Bunney said. “Pretend you don’t see us.”
“Can I say something ma’am?” Robinson asked from the audience.
“No,” Bunney replied.
“He called me one. I called him one. I’m gonna bring an attorney,” Robinson declared as the hearing ended.
Local Modiv Denied Approval
Bunney was recused from Local Modiv dispensary hearing. It has had ongoing distance issues on the downtown Newark Pedestrian Plaza since nearby Garden Greenz and Downtown Flwr sued them.
Attorney Justin Jacobs explained they did not feel their initial denial by the CCB was just, so they sued. The judge sent the matter back to the CCB.
“We did actually apply the criteria that is supposed to be done at the 2nd hearing.
Mondello said. “Go ahead.”
He thought it was fine with the Superior Court Judge Joseph Turula.
Jacobs said the City Council approved Local Modiv in April 2023. In October 2023 the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) awarded them the annual license needed to open.
“It’s a convoluted situation,” Kaplowitz explained. “We denied the application originally. You went to court. The judge remanded it back to us. We had an incredibly fast hearing on that without any substance.”
CEO Chelsea Duffey said she moved to Jersey City in 2016 and became locally active while working for professional sports teams. She said Local Modiv has supported many charities.
Downtown Flwr attorney Frank Vitolo cross-examined Duffey.
Local Business Support Questioned
“Has Local Modiv obtained a letter from the SID (Downtown Special Improvement District)?” he asked.
“We have not. That’s not a requirement,” Duffey replied.
Jacobs agreed.
Chief Operating Officer Matt Cimiluca said he now lives in Lavallette after living in Jersey City for eight years where he had a small business.
“We do own the building we’re in,” he noted.
“What specific measures has Local Modiv taken… to obtain the support of the Special Improvement District?” Vitolo asked.
Cimiluca said they’re a member of the SID and have not gotten negative feedback.
“They take no position on cannabis applicants,” he added.
Commissioner Sonia Marte-Dublin said they have seen SID letters for other dispensaries.
Cimiluca noted Downtown Flwr personnel were at the meeting where they were told the SID is neutral.
“How many times have you reached back out to the SID?” Vitolo asked.
“We have been in some ongoing litigation we’ve tried to get through first due to your client,” Cimiluca replied.
“The SID is a big supporter of our client,” Vitolo declared.
“Did your client get a letter?” Mondello asked.
“I don’t recall,” Vitolo replied.
Jacobs claimed Downtown Flwr didn’t get one either and their resolution said the SID is neutral.
Vitolo complained about Jacobs’ claim.
Jersey City Cannabis Dispensaries Distance Issues
Jacobs said the judge dismissed the distance issue raised by Garden Greenz. The court said the distance area at the time of application should be the standard.
Vitolo said the CCB only approved them the second time since they incorrectly thought the judge demanded it. He alleged his client is favored by the SID and thought they should have tried harder to win their favor. Vitolo also claimed they’re not well-regarded in the business community.
Kaplowitz admitted he thought the initial judicial finding demanded they approved them.
“I have no love for Multi-State Operators (MSOs). I think they’re a sin,” he declared.
However, Kaplowitz valued the opinion of the SID and nearby business owners themselves and wanted their opinion.
So, the CCB denied them approval 2-0, with Bunney abstaining and Vice Chair Jose Cantarero and Commissioner Courtney Sloane absent to applause.
“Best of luck,” Mondello said.
“We’re not an MSO,” Duffey said.
“They’re an MSO, and I don’t like them,” Kaplowitz replied.
“It’s going to be litigated as it is,” Mondello said.
Former Councilman OKed for Urth Company Dispensary Opening
Urth Company at 260 Martin Luther King Drive was next. Attorney Elnardo Webster said former Ward E Councilman Jermaine Robinson was the owner and praised his family for their successful business history.
His Light Rail Café has hosted many Hudson County Democratic Organization events. On 4/20, they hosted a rooftop party with underground legacy operators selling weed that Heady NJ attended.
Robinson said his family has been operating a barbershop for nearly 40 years. In addition, He said he works with many charities, including State Senator Angela McKnight’s (D-31) Angela Cares.
“I am not the biggest cannabis user. But I believe in the healing power of the flower, the herb itself,” Robinson added.
“I know he’ll be a good community partner. He’s a good person. I believe we should approve this application,” Bunney said.
“You are an asset to the community,” Kaplowitz said.
Commissioner Sonia Martiz Dublin said she was proud of Robinson’s charity work.
They were approved 3-0.
Along with Jermaine Robinson, Hudson County Clerk Junior Maldonado, Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker, the daughter of Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman, and others are very politically connected and hold licenses.
Others have told Heady NJ similar stories of overly politically connected dispensaries making progress in other towns.
It’s the sort of thing that smells like recently revealed New Jersey corruption in the news this year.
Approvals to Open
The grower Glue Lagoon Farms was reviewed for final approval to open.
They will likely be the only legal cultivator in the city.
Most are in South Jersey.
Mondello said their paperwork and approvals were in order.
The CCB approved them 3-0, with
They received City Council approval last night as well.
JC Element at 365 Central Ave in the Heights was there for their final approval to operate a dispensary on Central Avenue. The CCB approved them opening 3-0. They will be the 3rd dispensary open in that neighborhood after Leaf Joint and Uforia.
At least two more dispensaries have the approvals and resources to open in the neighborhood.
