Source: Hudson County Reporter
At the Hoboken City Council’s latest meeting, the council considered more cannabis regulations, including grandfathering dispensaries and expanding the Cannabis Review Board.
The ordinance adopted for grandfathering says that existing medical cannabis dispensaries that want to sell recreational cannabis will have to get approval from the local Cannabis Review Board and the Planning Board.
The dispensaries can apply regardless of other previously proposed or approved facilities in the city, and will also be exempt from the proximity limitations from other dispensaries at 500 feet, or primary or secondary schools at 600 feet. Plus, any approved dispensaries that sell both medical and recreational cannabis will count as one facility in calculating the new cannabis store limits for up to six city-wide and up to three per ward.
Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher said that while she isn’t opposed to dispensaries in general, she was opposed to the ordinance because Harmony and Terrapin, two medical dispensaries in the southeast part of the city, are less than 500 feet from each other and would be granted an exception from the rules that requires a distance at such measures.
Terrapin is currently applying to sell recreational cannabis, but was told by the Cannabis Review Board earlier this week that they need to wait a year after operating before applying to sell recreational cannabis.
Councilman Joe Quintero was supportive of the ordinance because of the clarifications that were added regarding the 12 month rule, and argued that alcohol is more dangerous than cannabis.
The ordinance was adopted 5-4. Another ordinance expanding the Cannabis Review Board was introduced unanimously by the council, after having been voted down at the previous meeting.
The ordinance would expand the number of members on the board from three to seven. The four new members would be Hoboken residents, with two appointed by the City Council to serve a two year term, and two appointed by the mayor to serve for the mayor’s own term in office.
It will also require the board and the applicant to agree to a community host agreement, and to be referred to the mayor for final negotiation and be approved by the City Council.