The Hoboken Council OKed an ordinance on first reading to allow Blue Violets dispensary to continue being less than 600 feet from a school.
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In 2022, Hoboken changed the 500-foot distance requirement in its 2021 rule and made it 600 feet after Blue Violets dispensary submitted its application.
Blue Violets won an appeal of a lawsuit against them because they submitted their application before the change. Perennial city council candidate Liz Urtecho has been fighting Blue Violets as part of “Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis” and appealed the decision to the NJ Supreme Court.
Since 2022, Blue Violets has been fighting a backlash created by the Multi-State Operator (MSO) Story dispensary, which was approved only after months of opposition and a court case. But it still hasn’t opened.
In contrast, Blue Violets is a woman-owned dispensary with the husband and wife owners from nearby Hoboken. They opened last spring 2024.
The 2025 election seasoned charged the environment in favor of pro-cannabis voters after Blue Violets spent years building community support. Four of the 8 Councilmembers are running for mayor, while other Councilmembers will be defending their seats.
Blue Violets Fights Back
“We came here and repeatedly promised you there was nothing to be concerned about,” Blue Violets Co-founder Lauren Thompson declared during the public comment period. “With 500 days of operations, I can confidentially say we have been right about every single thing…”
“…We have paid $90,000 to the city of Hoboken in annual licensing fees as well as collected sales tax,” she noted.
“Countless members of our community have urged you to rectify this situation,” Thompson exclaimed.
“I like legal dispensaries,” Enrique Herrera said. “No more shady deals.”
Community Supports Mom and Pop Dispensary
Local activist Manny Rivera-Soler praised their initial application to open a dispensary.
“Please let Lauren and (her husband) Max continue their flourishing business….” Emily Wirt said. “Legal marijuana is not the problem.”
“What makes Blue Violets different is they are a true mom and pop shop,” noted Jesse Marie Villars of Baked by the River dispensary in Lambertville. “…Hoboken is fortunate to have them….”
“Youth cannabis use actually decreases in states with regulated dispensaries,” she explained.
“Our dispensaries are some of the most highly regulated businesses in the state,” Villars noted. “…. We require ID checks for every person every time….”
Heated Hoboken Council Cannabis Debate
“I never thought it was a common-sense amendment. I voted against it then. And I’m glad to see my council colleagues who voted for it are willing to make some changes,” Third Ward Councilman Mike Russo explained about the 2022 change. He noted he asked the Police Department for dispensary incident statistics.
“The only calls for service were accidental alarms,” Russo noted.
“I hope all my Council colleagues vote for it tonight,” he declared to applause.
Fifth Ward Councilman Phil Cohen explained he is co-sponsoring the effort after voting for the 2022 ordinance.
“Everyone concedes, even the people suing them, that they’re good neighbors…,” he added. “I hope this is a unanimous approval tonight.”
“It won’t be unanimous,” 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher said.
Courting Pro-and Anti-Cannabis Voters
She accused them of playing politics to make her look bad.
“It’s political gamesmanship,” Fisher argued.
Cohen and At Large Councilman Joe Quintero have been supportive of Blue Violets and called out her opposition in a recent letter to Hudson County View.
Fisher claimed there was not enough public input on the 2021 Hoboken cannabis law she voted for. She also said she did not closely review the law.
“We really didn’t understand the implications of the law,” Fisher argued.
“The community freaked out,” she explained.
Fisher added that At Large Councilwoman Emily Jabour supported her 2022 ordinance push along with others.
She explained she did not believe in their appeal victory and thought the NJ Supreme Court should decide.
“…We’ve seen probably the master political games. And I think you just put on a master class of political games during your comments…,” Quintero declared.
“Reefer did take over the city three years ago,” he noted. “… I dipped my toe into it.”
Quintero said he almost immediately regretted supporting Fisher’s ordinance.
“I think everyone…. is afforded the opportunity to re-assess. Especially after you re-assess with evidence,” 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos said.
He noted he thought the appeals victory of Blue Violets should stand.
Jabour said she appreciated them addressing concerns.
“I did not want to harm people who were already in the process. I will be voting to support this…,” she added to applause.
Hoboken Council President Jim Doyle noted that he “voted for the amendment… because of capping it at 6 (dispensaries.”
Election Elephant in the Room
He also criticized what he called the political election season strategies of both the pro and anti-dispensary councilmembers.
The law allowing Blue Violets to operate where it is passed on first reading 5-3, with Fisher, 1st Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano, and Doyle voting no.
To become law, a city ordinance needs to pass on two readings. While a close vote, the councilmembers are unlikely to change their positions again this close to the November Election.
