Longtime cannabis advocate Chris Almada won the Democratic nomination to be the Dover 3rd Ward Town Councilman in a primary upset last week.
Dover is in Morris County in North Jersey.
He beat incumbent Councilman Michael Scarneo 204 to 126, according to the official results. Chris Almada is a leading Sativa Cross advocate currently serving as the Vice President.
Scareno is an ally of the incumbent shady Mayor James Dodd. Sativa Cross Treasurer and Edward “Lefty” Grimes had issues with Dodd when he protested anti-consumption laws at a town council meeting wearing a costume.
Chris Almada said Dodd has also been suppressing comments on social media.
While the town is Democratic-leaning, Chris Almada will face a General Election Republican opponent Maria Rosario in November. She served in multiple roles in the Republican-controlled Morris County government and recently retired.
“I don’t see myself as a politician,” Chris Almada told Heady NJ.
He is a longtime advocate with Sativa Cross and has been spearheading “Burn up Clean ups” in Dover with fellow Sativa Cross advocate and entrepreneur Chis Velasquez for four years, handling trash thrown on the side of the road as cannabis consumers and coordinating disposal with the town.
“We wanted to break down the stigma,” Chris Almada explained. “We’re not criminals.”
Chris Almada, along with Velasquez, successfully advocated to the Dover Council that they allow dispensaries in town.
They sought to open a micro business dispensary but had great difficulties finding a location. So, they have been working with Casa Verde dispensary on marketing and social media and hosting their podcast.
In addition, Almada has been working with Velasquez on professional photography and t-shirt-making ventures. Personally, he is a family guy with a son.
Running for Office
“This is all new territory to me,” Almada explained.
“Two years ago, they asked me as well, and I said no,” he noted.
Former Mayor Carol Blackman supported him along with former councilwoman and advocate Karol Ruiz and many others.
“I couldn’t do it alone,” Almada said. “Especially with my disability, it made it challenging.”
They have been knocking on many doors to persuade voters.
Almada has been advocating for hybrid live-in-person/virtual meetings.
“Hybrid meetings are essential to everybody,” he argued.
Almada noted that the disabled, parents, and those working late have problems attending meetings in person.
In addition, he is mindful of redevelopment issues. Chris Almada also said he wanted to improve transparency and did not like the town’s fiscal management.
“We have a lot of issues,” he noted. “Traffic is crazy… We’re desperate for some change.”
Dover is a Democratic Party stronghold in Morris County in North Jersey.
It has a significant Hispanic population. Overall, Morris County itself used to be a Republican stronghold. Former Governor Chris Christie (R) served as what is now called a County Commissioner.
However, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Congresswoman Mikie Sherill (D-NJ-11) represents Morris County in Congress.
Cannabis Politics
“The current administration is trying to stop consumption in public,” Almada noted.
“It seems like they don’t want any consumption in public, which would hurt medical marijuana patients,” he explained.
“It’s time for a consumption lounge,” Almada declared.
“We need a designated area,” he added.
Medical cannabis patients have trouble consuming, especially in apartments and public housing.
While Almada has a down-to-earth, chill demeanor, he counts many of the State’s most radical and fiery cannabis activists as close allies.
“I don’t shy away. I support my friends, my fellow activists,” he noted.
Almada will not be the first New Jersey cannabis activist elected to office. Michael Chazukow was a NORML cannabis activist who won a seat on the West Milford Council as a pro-cannabis libertarian Republican.
Dover Political Issues
Almada said he wanted to run because Dover Councilman Sergio Rodriguez got in trouble with assault and coercion charges. He spoke against hm at a Council meeting in April.
In addition, Almada did not like the way Council meetings are when time is cut when people are still speaking and finishing a thought.
Rodriguez is facing multiple criminal charges, according to 101.5.com. Dodd even called for his resignation after the third charge.
“It didn’t seem right, you know?” Almada noted. “If we want change, we have to change. Them running uncontested made me want to run.”
Rodrigeuz is allied with Dodd and lost as well.
“His whole slate lost… We won by decent numbers,” Almada noted.
The Dover Business Administrator just jumped ship to Asbury Park.
Dodd’s term ends in 2027. He is serving a non-consecutive 5th term in office.
He noted Dodd leaked pictures of his transgender female ally Daniella Mendez, who also won a seat on the Council, so they want to rally behind her.
Reformer’s Year in Jersey?
If there was ever a time to run as a political reformer in New Jersey, June 2025 was it. In the past, the Democratic and Republican County Organizations would award “The Line,” and they expected voters to check the boxes down the column.
After great tumult, the ballot in most counties was re-oriented, so it was not a straight line down.
This led to great momentum among reformers eager to run for office across the State. So many of the Democratic County and Republican Organizations had to work harder to win. Most of them, including many Democratic ones backing pro-cannabis politicians, defended their turf well.
While many establishment candidates won, Almada is part of a respectable wave of Democratic primary victories for reformers across New Jersey.
