Terrapin celebrated a win after a Hudson County Superior Court judge ruled that Harmony must submit to a review board before opening a dispensary in Hoboken.
Terrapin filed a lawsuit in September 2020, asking the court whether Harmony must comply with regulations established after they submitted documents to Hoboken before opening a medical cannabis dispensary in the city. Harmony said they began the local licensing process before the Medical Cannabis Review Board was established by ordinance in June 2020.
City leaders crafted Hoboken’s medical cannabis ordinance to ensure accountability through a Medical Cannabis Review Board. The Board weighs the merit of applications to ensure only the best actors open in the city.
Hoboken Cannabis Issues
Hudson County Superior Court Judge Marybeth Rogers agreed with Terrapin that Harmony should be held to the same review and accountability procedures.
“The Court finds that the role of the Review Board and its function to protect public health is too important to be bypassed,” Judge Rogers said.
“We’ve maintained all along that we were filing this lawsuit in the public health, safety, and community interest of the people of Hoboken,” said Chris Woods, owner and founder of Terrapin. “All interested parties should have to answer to the people of Hoboken, just as we will.
“We are very happy with the Hudson County Superior Court’s decision, which ruled in our favor that the Hoboken planning board’s unanimous approval is intact and cannot be revoked. Per today’s ruling, our next step will be to work with the local Medical Cannabis Review Board. As a locally rooted company focused exclusively on New Jersey, we strive to make a positive impact in any community in which we operate. We very much look forward to meeting with the board and showing firsthand the positive impact we will bring to Hoboken,” Harmony CEO Shaya Brodchandel said.
“The Review Board was established to bring accountability and transparency. If there’s nothing to hide, then all companies should welcome the opportunity to formally introduce themselves to the people of this city and answer any questions they may have,” Woods said. “We’re so excited about our plans to leave a permanent positive impact on Hoboken and the entire North Jersey community.”
Terrapin Plans
Terrapin is scheduled for an administrative hearing before the Review Board next Wednesday, March 31. They announced plans to open a medical cannabis dispensary at 86 River Street after a three-year community outreach effort. Terrapin filed paperwork with the city to move through the Zoning Board. The Hoboken Medical Cannabis Review Board next week is the first step before zoning.
“As an inter-generational resident of Hoboken with deep roots, I want to ensure that only the most qualified cannabis companies open their doors and that when they do, they will have the best interests of the community in mind,” said Joseph Castelo, a local filmmaker, and entrepreneur who is a partner on Terrapin’s Hoboken project. “Terrapin’s commitment to the local community is clear, and we would hope that all cannabis companies seeking entry to this city would place as high of a focus on leaving a positive impact.”