The Hoboken City Council debated allowing certain dispensaries to incorporate manufacturing, restricting intoxicating hemp sales, and changing the composition of the Cannabis Review Board (CRB).

It would limit intoxicating hemp sales to the NJ-Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) and “City-licensed Authorized Cannabis Businesses.”

The ordinance was previously withdrawn before the last Council meeting, when it was supposed to be up for a first reading vote before a final second reading vote.

Hoboken City Council President Ruben Ramos noted they do not want to allow cannabis consumption lounges.

Community Development and Planning Director Christopher Brown explained they’re still working on the ordinance’s details.

“I’m waiting on an updated version from the CRB attorney (Rosemarie Moyeno Matos),” he said. “…I was hoping it would be up today.”

Brown noted it’s supposed to include several different components.

“By tomorrow morning, we should have a consumption area free ordinance,” he added.

Brown said they plan to prohibit lounges.

First Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano was unhappy about allowing cannabis manufacturing.

Second Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher was concerned with the language of the ordinance.

“It looks like we’re inserting an impact fee… “This is contemplating an additional fee?” she said. “We have a 2 percent transfer fee. 75 percent is supposed to go to social justice or whatever….”

Fisher sought clarification on numbers.

Presinzano noted the different fee tiers.

Fisher noted that more notices of cannabis hearings for residents might help address a potential backlash.

In 2022, she led the backlash against the approval of Story dispensary when it seemed like it had a very shady deal to be in a building owned by the company run by the wife of the former Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop.

“Change it to 20 days,” Fisher argued.

She also argued about the composition of the CRB and wanted more City Council control.

“Two of the resident ones should be appointed by the city council and 1 by the mayor. Right now it’s flipped,” Fisher argued.

In addition, she was confused about a community impact fee.

“This ordinance tries to do a lot… It probably just needs to do the hemp (prohibition) now,” Fisher argued.

Business Administrator Jennifer Gonzalez said they could answer Fisher’s questions tomorrow.

“What you’re looking at online is a placeholder,” she noted.

Fisher also did not like the idea of allowing cannabis manufacturing in the city.

“The thing about manufacturing is it’s a different type of use… I’m assuming it’s going to have more delivery trucks,” she claimed. “It has more implications into road use and delivery….”

“…I think it’s very light manufacturing,” 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen said.

He noted eligibility is limited to established cannabis licensees in the city’s industrial zone.

“I have a question on hemp… is this for everyone who sells hemp?” Presinzano asked.

“Yup,” Ramos said.

“Has the State given us clarification on beverages?” Presinzano asked.

“I think we’re getting the ordinance in line with the State,” Brown said.

“If people still have questions, we’ll carry it,” Ramos explained.