The Jersey City Cannabis Board (CCB) reviewed the controversial application of Local Modiv dispensary, encouraged Glue Lagoon to reapply, and reviewed others.

Local Modiv Re-wins Approval to Open Downtown

The proposed dispensary Local Modiv at 155 Newark Ave on the pedestrian plaza was on the agenda. Their attorney, Justin Jacobs, noted they were initially denied by the CCB when it was mostly other Commissioners. But they won their case in court.

“The applicant has a resolution of support from City Council,” CCB attorney Ron Mondello said. “…This was a unique application.”

“Why was it denied?” Commissioner Isaiah Franco asked.

“There were questions about the community impact…,” Jacobs said.

Mondello noted the CCB didn’t believe they had local support in 2022.

“They’re on the same block?” Commissioner Micheline Grace- Lewis
asked.

“Back then, there was a lot of outside influence that affected decisions,” CCB Chair Jeff Kaplowitz noted.

He explained it was hard to determine when turf was awarded to keep away those who wanted it.

“It was interpreted many different ways above our pay grade,” Kaplowitz said.

Mondello noted the Jersey City cannabis ordinance has since changed.

Jacobs said they should act like no one has turf there, like in the beginning of the process in 2022 when they applied.

“…It is the time of application that rules everything…,” Mondello noted.

“Were you denied also because of the distance?” Franco asked. “Is that a factor right now?”

Kaplowitz said they should pretend no dispensaries are there and no one has the turf.

Co-founder Chelsea Duffy recounted her business background and work with non-profits helping women and children.

“Many people have told us to give up, but here we are,” she noted.

Co-founder Matt Similuca explained he started a business and worked for another dispensary previously. MS said his family helped buy the building after he sold his house.

Venus Smith of 1634 Funk dispensary, along with others, testified in support of them opening. She criticized their potential competitor, Downtown Flwr.

“I don’t think it’s fair that a billionaire that doesn’t live in Jersey City and a woman who does not live in Jersey City have the right to open an establishment on the Newark plaza where we have this wonderful person who has supported Jersey City for years,” Smith argued.

Mondello noted a former board said they did not have formal community support, but they do now.

“…We like Chelsea. It’s not our fight with Chelsea. It’s the other one down the block,” Frank Robinson of Garden Greenz dispensary said, referring to Downtown Flwr during their public comment period.

“… I’m sorry what you had to go through what you went through. I’m sorry I was a part of that,” Kaplowitz said. “…The motion is based upon justice.”

“I’m impressed with the specific women’s initiatives you’re taking,” Commissioner Daniela Pepe said.

“…I apologize on behalf of those previous board members …You’ve gone above and beyond…,” Commissioner Robert Napiorski said.

“My initial concerns were about the saturation … but you should not be penalized again for what seems to be an injustice,” GL said.

The CCB approved them 5-0 with Vice Chair Patrick Patel absent to cheers.

Glue Lagoon Grower Endorsement Revoked, Encouraged to Reapply

The proposed cultivator Glue Lagoon at 77 Forest Street was next.

Mondello noted they have had space issues.

“I got a new location. It’s 78 Grace Street in Jersey City,” Glue Lagoon owner Eli Terry said. “I have the Letter of Intent from the landlord.”

“How does that affect our process?” Kaplowitz asked.

“If he’s moving to a new place, it’s a completely different application… it affects everything,” Mondello said.

He noted he had an endorsement revocation ready.

“Have you submitted the new location to staff?” Kaplowitz asked.

“…We’re putting together the lease soon,” Terry said.

“We’re not over the cap of the number of cultivators. He could start new as an application,” Commerce Department Director Maynard Woodson said.

Mondello said that for a new application at a new address, he’d also have to pay more application fees, which, as a microbusiness, would be $2,500.

“When are you going to have a signed lease?” Kaplowitz asked.

“…Next month,” Terry replied.

Napiorski noted it’s near Candid dispensary.

Terry said they’re the landlord.

“My advice is the board consider revoking the previous endorsement… It’s up to the applicant to start from ground zero,” Mondello said.

Woodson noted Terry needed to verify a cultivation site was allowed there since the CCB was unsure.

“We do want to see you move forward,” Napiorski said.

The CCB revoked their approval 5-0 and encouraged him to reapply.

Backpack Boyz Jersey City Dispensary Application Reviewed

Backpack Boyz, which wants to open a dispensary at 746 Grand Street, was next.

“…Tell us where you stand..,” Kaplowitz said.

“We’ve turned in everything,” applicant Analia Villani said.

She said they’re waiting on the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) for paperwork to open.

“You’re basically stuck in that never-never land?” Kaplowitz asked.

“Yes,” Villani said.

“So basically you’re asking for an extension? Kaplowitz asked.

“Yes,” Villani said.

She noted they could open in September.

Mondello asked what they needed.

“We’re just waiting for licensing from the State,” Villani said.

“…Did they give you any timeframe?” Mondello asked.

“The CRC has already come in…. We’ve turned in all of our paperwork. We’re just waiting for them to give us our license,” Villani said.

“…Send a copy of the State license once it’s issued,” Woodson said.

“Pay your fees and give us your exact opening date because you have to create your tax account,” Commerce Department Supervising Clerk Marquiea Starks said.

The CCB allowed them to continue 5-0.

It seems a Backpack Boyz location nearby in West New York has already closed, according to Google. The CCB initially approved them in 2022 under different owners. It’s a noted brand from California.

Cannabis Place Dispensary Advocates for Shady Smoke Shop Shutdowns

The Cannabis Place 420 dispensary at 1542 John F. Kennedy Blvd was up for renewal.

“Give us a background on your year. We know you’re all paid up,” Kaplowitz said.

CEO Osbert Orduna noted they have a community impact room he allowed non-profits to utilize at no charge. OO called it an in-kind contribution of $50,000 after many uses.

Kaplowitz asked about obstacles.

“Within walking distance of our store there are illicit operators,” OO said.

OO said he has a group called the “Jersey City Coalition for Responsible Cannabis” that is for the shutdown of shady smoke shops.

“People turn to the illicit market … because it’s cheaper. There’s no 2 percent cannabis tax…,” OO said. “The city has done very little….”

OO said they’re endangering the community along with his employees.

“I agree with you,” Kaplowitz said.

They were reapproved 5-0.

1634 Funk Dispensary Renewed

1634 Funk, LLC at 394 Communipaw Ave, owned by Jeffrey Devine and Venus Smith, was next.

“We would like to tell you business is wonderful,” Smith said. “But the truth is it’s not.”

“We see every coffee shop sell coffee and a pre-roll,” she noted.

Smith explained that the city’s 2 percent tax and fees are burdensome. She noted they lost money last year.

“There are probably like 8 stores or establishments in our immediate area that are selling. They don’t pay you any taxes. They don’t pay you any fees,” Smith explained.

“And the police call us to ask us for money!” she declared. “I asked them, ‘When are you going to start closing down the illegal establishments? And he said, well, we need money.”

The room laughed nervously.

CCB Endorses JC Cannabis Industry Interest Group

“I sympathize with you,” Kaplowitz said. “…I wish that the entire cannabis community in Jersey City forms an alliance with each other… and come down to the Council to speak as a huge bloc.”

Kaplowitz repeated such sentiments more than once.

“Hopefully things change under the new Administration,” he added.

“…I think it’s a great idea…. Go down to the Council and put pressure on them,” Napiorski said.

The CCB renewed their approval 5-0.

Garden Greenz dispensary at 190 Newark Ave was renewed along with Hazy Harvest at 398 Pacific Ave, Green Flamingo at 447 Central Ave, Lifted Vision at 481 Central Ave in the Heights, and Memes Danckk World at 1702-1704 JFK Blvd with little debate.

Other owners also liked the idea of forming an interest group to lobby the city to shut down shady smoke shops.

Finally, the grower Green Sky Grow was approved by the CCB to operate at 155 Vanwagenen Ave 5-0.