The Jersey City Council reviewed several proposed cannabis-related changes, including another dispensary cap and new rules for the cannabis control board, at yesterday’s caucus meeting.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
The dispensary cap of 48 (which would have really been 67 due to a grandfather clause) has not been revisited since being tabled in October, though Acting Corporation Counsel Brittany Murray made good on a promise to have something on the books this week.
“The ward cap is the same for class 5 retailers. We’re still at 48. Although we spoke about how some people might be grandfathered, so it would go beyond that cap,” she noted, later indicating this would expedite the approval process.
“We’ve removed a second appearance before the Cannabis Control Board (CCB), so they’ll only have to go once and then come up for their annual renewal before the council.”
Murray explained that the CCB will now be a seven-member board instead of five to ensure a quorum on a regular basis. The new members will all be mayoral appointees and be required to be city residents.
“We do have a board member who might not have residency … He will be able to continue with his membership … but every new appointee will have to be a Jersey City resident going forward,” she added.
“ … There is still a 200-foot requirement for schools. We did change the definition though … which only includes up to secondary [high] schools. We’ve removed the planning requirement, so they can go get zoning determination letters instead of appearing before planning.”
Murray further stated that a noticing requirement for 10 days prior to a hearing for everyone who lives or does business with 200 feet of the business remains in tact.
“What is the process envisioned for the governing body to determine which application will get the approved license in each ward?” Ward E Councilman James Solomon asked.
“It’s still gonna be a recommendation coming from the review from the CCB,” Murray replied.
“Has the state opened up the cannabis consumption process?” Solomon asked.
“Yes, they did,” Murray answered.
Solomon also noted the rule that bars dispensaries from opening within 600 feet of each other has been a problem.
“Eight people could apply at the same time … We should create a very clear process with deadlines on how to do that. I assume it will be a pretty lucrative license to award.”
Murray added that if there’s less than six in a ward, the Department of Commerce could open a time-limited application round.
Additionally, Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore had a consumption lounge question.
“Is there any way we can just cap it at six? I don’t want a distance issue to occur where you have a consumption lounge on a border of two different wards,” he said.
Gilmore noted redistricting could affect that and, in theory, could leave no lounge in any given particular ward.
“It’s up to the council if you want to do that,” Murray answered, noting that such an answer is possible.
“Do we have to have a second review of the cannabis control board for a consumption license?” Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh asked.
“A lot of the cannabis retail people, they made their intention known when they were before the committee that they were going to go for a consumption license.”
“We did receive some interest, but those applications were bifurcated. They really weren’t considered at the time,” Commerce Director Maynard Woodson explained.
He noted that more than one dispensary owner wants lounges in several wards. Therefore, Woodson said a new application requiring an open dispensary should be required.
“Can we put a resolution to make it enacted immediately?” Saleh asked.
He noted many dispensary owners have been asking about an updated ordinance for some time.
Business Administrator John Metro noted that it is only done in emergency situations.
“We could take a look at it if we can fit. But from the first perspective, I’d say no,” he said.
“People need their weed,” Saleh joked.
The Jersey City Council will convene at City Hall, 280 Grove St., on Wednesday at 6 p.m. for their regular session, which will also stream live on YouTube.
Jersey City Council reviews several proposed cannabis-related changes at caucus – Hudson County View
