HRC February Newsletter
The Station (86 River Street) is now open for recreational cannabis sales.
After a lengthy approval process, The Station is Hoboken’s first dispensary to open for recreational marijuana sales. The beautiful facility build out adds to the retail experience - go check it out.
Visit The Station website for more information.
Congratulations to the owner Joe Castelo.
Proposed Change to the Cannabis Dispensary School Proximity Law from 600 to 200 feet.
CM Joe Quintero and Phil Cohen have proposed this change which will result in cannabis dispensaries being located much closer to schools. This is concerning and raises questions about the city’s commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of Hoboken children. LINK The proposed amendment would (1) reduce the allowable proximity to schools from 600 to 200 feet; (2) change the measurement of distance from point to point to “normal” walking distance; and (3) allow dispensaries to open on the same block as a school.
No state that has legalized marijuana has a school proximity law that is as low as 200 feet. In fact, the states, with the exception of one, have proximity restrictions of 500 feet or greater. This includes densely populated states like New Jersey. A 200 foot school buffer would place Hoboken as one of the shortest distances in the nation, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of the city’s youth in comparison to other jurisdictions.
To counter CM Quintero and Cohen’s proposal, CW Tiffanie Fisher and Council President Jen Giattino put up a resolution LINK opposing this ordinance change - reminding the City Council why we have the 600 foot school buffer to begin with. The Common Sense Cannabis ordinance (co-sponsored Fisher and Jabbour) and its 600 foot school proximity restriction passed 8-1 with Quintero/Cohen in favor. In fact, Mayor Bhalla originally wanted a 750 foot buffer but compromised with the City Council at 600 feet.
Why are they doing this?
CM Quintero and Cohen claim that they want to align the cannabis ordinances with state alcohol laws. However, this contradicts the priorities of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission which states, “Both the CREAMM Act and Commission’s regulations were written with protecting children as a high priority.” and includes provisions that specifically protect children from cannabis exposure including signage, advertising restrictions and penalties for distributing cannabis to minors.
Which schools and dispensaries are most affected?
All Saints Episcopal Day School and Hoboken Charter School will be immediately affected by the change. Blue Violets is approximately 250 feet away from the schools. HRC is currently in litigation with Blue Violets - claiming the Planning Board did not have jurisdiction to approve the dispensary location given the 600 foot ordinance. This ordinance change will pave the way for Blue Violets to legally open.
If - for any reason - a locally approved cannabis dispensary doesn’t get a state license or loses its municipal approval e.g. Harmony (95 Hudson Street), that approval becomes available for another potential dispensary. Harmony lost their municipal approval in the fall and unless legally challenged, leaves one dispensary location available in Hoboken. This change could affect other schools in town - notably Stevens and Hoboken Middle School.
Already approved cannabis dispensaries - who have been playing by the rules - shouldn’t have the goal posts moved which could adversely affect their businesses.
Let your voices be heard! Call to Action! Here’s what you can do:
Attend the City Council Meeting on Wednesday, February 21st at 7 p.m. I realize this is a big ask - people are busy.
Contact the City Council in a few easy steps.
Here is a prewritten opposition letter. LINK
Copy and paste it into your email.
Add your name.
Send to citycouncil@hobokennj.gov
Send your own personal letter or call members of the City Council letting them know that you oppose the change.
Jersey Joint changes its name.
One of the conditions for Jersey Joint to get CRB approval was to change its name. Drum roll….Hudsonica (1427 Grand Street). The dispensary is currently under construction, and it is unclear when their doors will open.
Story settles with the Planning Board but still has no state license.
In December, Story settled its litigation with the Planning Board, in what could be described as a procedural vote, but there has been no obvious change in the status of that dispensary. To date, Story has not received a CRC state license.
CRC Upcoming Meeting – The state Cannabis Regulatory Commission will meet on March 13th . to consider another group of dispensaries for state licensing. The agenda and registration to speak has not been posted.
