The Hoboken City Council voted down an ordinance to allow cannabis dispensaries within 600 feet of schools as their ordinance initially allowed. The change would have greatly benefited Blue Violets dispensary.
They were hurt greatly when the Council changed the law and shrank the distance in the middle of the process.
There was no debate of the law and the vote was a tie 4-4.
“That ordinance fails introduction,” Hoboken City Clerk Jimmy Farina said.
Hoboken Council Vice President Jim Doyle presided over the meeting. He later explained that because cannabis failed at first reading there was no need to vote on an ordinance to send it to the planning board and no reason to vote for the resolution against it.
Blue Violets Dispensary Fights Back
“There was a resolution that would have allowed you all to speak, but that was pulled,” Max Thompson of Blue Violets dispensary said during the public comment period. “We didn’t get to speak, and that sucks.”
He noted they approved a cannabis ordinance in 2021 that zoned cannabis dispensaries.
“It sent a signal that Hoboken was open for cannabis business, and that invitation stayed open for over 6 six months,” Thompson said.
“This council changed the laws. The time of application law is a state law that says towns shouldn’t change rules on businesses after they apply.
“If the appellate court rules against us, Hoboken will have figured out a creative loophole at that time of application,” Thompson said.
He said they delayed their application as they changed the law.
“That’s a pretty clever trick,” Thompson said.
He said Village Hoboken dispensary is in a similar situation by being too close to a school.
Hoboken Cannabis Dispensary Debate
Rev. Elaine Thomas of All Saints Episcopal Parish complained about cannabis dispensaries.
“I don’t how to trust this Council and the process if you can come and put an amendment what your intent was but you never put it in an official ordinance,” she said.
Thomas criticized the first reading ordinance that said Hoboken wanted to keep dispensaries open to shouts of disapproval from the crowd.
“Quiet down please,” Doyle said.
Thomas questioned how many were open.
“A lot of them! Woo!” a woman called from the crowd in favor of Blue Violets.
“Quiet down please!” Doyle exclaimed.
Matthew Johnson also cited the time of application rule. He said the Village and The Station dispensaries have the same problem.
“They don’t seem to be under the same scrutiny that Blue Violets has,” Johnson said.
Village Hoboken dispensary is owned by NBA Star and NJ native Al Harrington. The Station is part of a small MSO based in Colorado that partnered with a local businessman. So, they both likely have the money to hire someone to argue behind closed doors.
“How many countless bars, liquor stores, and smoke shops do we all have in the vicinities of these schools?” he asked.
Johnson noted Blue Violets is a small, family-run business.
Community Comes Out to Support Blue Violets Dispensary
“You would never know it is there if you weren’t seeking it out,” Colby Olson said about Blue Violets.
“Across the street from the school is a massive smoke shop* lit up bright and light,” he said.
Olson noted IDs are immediately checked at dispensaries.
“I ask for a little bit of common sense,” he said.
“Never have I heard of a restaurant retroactively being shut unless they’re a public nuisance or they have liquor license violations,” Stuart Rosen said. “These people run a good business. It’s completely unfair that retroactively, you change the law on them.”
“We want cheap rent and we want access to weed, certainly from our friendly small businesses,” Emily Wirt declared.
“The mountains to climb in this city are difficult for bootstrapping (business) folks,” she added.
“Lauren and Max have proven themselves beyond a doubt that they should remain open as a vibrant business in this community,” Wirt said. “I can’t for the day when you can say how cannabis tax revenue is being used to improve our city.”
“You guys aren’t paying attention to me. It’s not even about the 600 feet,” she argued. “You’re letting your ego get the best of a situation that the citizens think should be laid to rest in favor of Blue Violets.”
Serving Seniors and First Responders
“Every day we’re helping people,” Lauren Thompson of Blue Violets dispensary said.
She noted they serve first responders and seniors. Thompson called the situation a nightmare.
“The laws we’re changed on us,” she declared.
Thompson also noted smoke shops and liquor stores have clear glass, while she has frosted windows so you can’t see in.
“I have people tell me I walked by 3 times. I didn’t know this was a storefront,” she said. “Some high school students are getting pre-rolls from non-regulated entities.”
“We’re safe. We’re discreet. I’m keeping cannabis away from minors,” Thompson said.
“It is medicine. I’m not just trying to get people high,” she added.
“Small businesses have the most to lose. We’re easy to bury in litigation,” Thompson noted.
“I walked down and started trouble,” Pat Waiters joked about visiting Blue Violets.
“He was in full compliance, and I wanted to cry. And now you all want to drag them back in court? Protect this man’s establishment,” she declared to applause.
Blue Violets is a local, Asian woman-owned business that opened earlier this year.
Hoboken Cannabis Issues
In 2021, Hoboken initially allowed an unlimited number of dispensaries and lounges. But then the small Multi-State Operator (MSO) Story tried to barge into a neighborhood and enraged half the town, which led to the backlash.
While they ultimately got city approval, they have not opened, while 3 dispensaries have.
A lawsuit by the former Health Human Services Director calling the Hoboken cannabis license process shady and criticizing Story’s tactics is pending.
