The Jersey City Council voted down the approval of the Warrior Weed dispensary due to number/saturation concerns and opposition.

Vocal Opposition to Warrior Weed Dispensary

Alex Paez said he’s a Deacon at the Riverside Assembly of God Church, which has mobilized against the new dispensary. Many families are against it, according to him.

He noted that children are impressionable.

“It’s a threat to their health and safety!” Paez exclaimed.

He noted that the daycare creates a Drug Free School Zone. However, that does not affect legal dispensary versus underground legacy operations. Nonetheless, Jersey City and many other towns have made laws about a distance requirement from schools. So, at their initial Jersey City Cannabis Control Board (CCB) hearing, it was noted that Warrior Weed is 1500 feet away, which was supposed to be enough.

Paez lamented nearby smoke shops as well.

“I don’t want any of our children who attend our daycare to see this dispensary….,” he said to applause.

Amer Esmail complained about too many dispensaries and smoke shops downtown. He didn’t like that the city could be known for having many dispensaries versus its diversity.

Warrior Weed Makes Its Case

Warrior Weed co-owner Jayme Moran noted her brother James is a Marine disabled vetehran as well.

“We’re excited to be the 5th dispensary to open in Ward E and the very first to open in the Village in downtown Jersey City,” she said.

“With enormous support from the Village Neighborhood Association and the local business community, who came and spoke on our behalf … we were unanimously approved twice,” Moran noted.

She said they were eager to help veterans who are often overlooked.

Moran added that she has owned the space at 415 Monmouth for a while.

“We will run a very smooth, successful operation giving back to the local veterans…,” she said.

Moran said they wanted to donate money to the Harsimus Cove Cemetery and wanted to help homeless vets.

She said they already sponsored a trip out west to help disabled veterans.

Moran added that they are established successful businesspeople already.

Resdential Opposition Due to Saturation

Diana Eng said she lives in the building on the first floor.

“I am not anti-cannabis… ,” she claimed.

Eng insisted her retirement plan would include “eating a lot of gummies.”

She said the building bylaws prevent it because a dispensary would increase risk an insurance premium increase or cause the loss. Thus, Eng said the Home Owners Association claims it would hurt the building and was opposed.

“There is broad and documented opposition… from 216 residents and stakeholders….,” she alleged.

Eng claimed about 180 people of them live very close.

“It is concerning the city has approved so many dispensaries to open in such a small area,” she complained.

Eng said there are 6 within a 10-block radius already.

The Jersey City Council voted it down 9-0 without comment.

The Council had already delayed its passage more than once due to saturation concerns.

The CCB pushed them due to concerns that it was too close to a school in October 2023. In February 2024, they ultimately approved it after Village Neighborhood Association Vice President Irene Barnaby spoke in their favor.

Jersey City Cannabis Issues

A lot of dispensary owners have been noting that there is a lot of competition and very costly red tape to cope with.

Jersey City has already seen Ice-T’s dispensary, the Medicine Woman, and the local Indian woman Blossom Dispensary close on Tonnelle Avenue, where foot traffic is minimal.

In addition, the local Hispanic-owned JC Element closed in the Heights.

Several great underground legacy to legal, local, minority, and female businesspeople have already opened their dispensaries across the city since 2023.

(This story would go on for too long if Heady NJ named our favorites. Plus, someone’s feelings might be hurt. Check them all out here!)

However, the dark truth is that many worthy companies are in a zero-sum game competition with each other, along with smoke shops and shady convenience stores.

Former Mayor Steve Fulop justified the competition by saying it was less shady than other towns, where few dispensaries are allowed.

The most politically connected dispensary applications by now-Assemblyman Jerry Walker (D-31), the daughter of former City Council President Joyce Watterman, former Councilman Jermaine Robinson, and Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea’s Chief of Staff Cory Gariga have yet to open.