The Jersey City Cannabis Control Board recommended that the City Council revoke approval for three unopened dispensaries while reviewing the status of other approved cannabis companies at last night’s meeting.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Commerce Department Supervising Clerk Marquiea Starks explained that the White Lotus dispensary, located at 749 West Side Ave., couldn’t make the meeting. They’re almost out of funds and want to move their property and didn’t fill out forms properly.
“What is the board’s pleasure? This board … can recommend the City Council revoke their resolution,” Board attorney Ron Mondello asked.
Commissioner Arnold Stovell indicated that White Lotus “didn’t want to do it” any longer, with Commissioner Daniela Pepe elaborating.
“That they couldn’t explain that is concerning: They’re almost out of funds,” she asserted.
“It’s definitely not a good look that they’re up in the air if they’re not here,” Mondello added.
Commissioner Robert Napiorski explained that his home shared a wall with the newly-opened Hamm and Chaz dispensary, located at 747 West Side Ave., causing him to alert their issues to the CCB.
Acting Chair Patrick Patel recommended that they should pull their resolution, but Stovell pushed to move forward.
Their recommended revocation was approved unanimously (4-0) with, CCB Chair Jeff Kaplowitz absent.
In a similar vein, Stovell noted that the Capital Virtues dispensary, located at 154 Martin Luther King Drive, also didn’t want to continue and they again voted unanimously to recommend revocation.
Mondello reiterated that these resolutions will suggest the City Council revoke its resolution of support.
Butler and Baldwin, owned by former Council President Joyce Watterman’s daughter Jennifer, was considered next.
Joyce Watterman said she regretted voting for the dispensary’s approval (she should have abstained) back in August 2022, as HCV first reported.
“The operator has paused. They plan to sell the property and license. They did not fill out the status report,” Mondello noted.
“I would move to pull the support,” Patel stated.
“Especially if they were not even able to fill out the status form and come before us,” Napiorski argued.
Therefore, the recommended revocation was again approved unanimously.
The status of the cultivation applicant Glue Lagoon was also reviewed.
“You no longer have site control … What’s going on?” Mondello asked.
“I was unaware he was going to tell you that. We’ve been working with him,” Glue Lagoon CEO Eli Terry said.
“We’ve been doing everything diligently to get a new letter from him. We just need a little bit of time … He’s away, so I haven’t been able to get the letter. Judgment of eviction, what was that for?” Patel asked.
“I didn’t make sense for that short of a lease to do a buildout. We both figured we’d pause that,” Terry continued.
Mondello said they had a lease beginning in 2023 slated to end on December 2026.
Terry said they wanted more than a three-year lease if they were going to spend so much money building their facility.
“How much time do you need to fix this problem?” Mondello asked.
“60 to 90 days,” Terry replied.
“Is the delay with signing the lease due to the funding?” Pepe asked.
“I would move to give him 60 days,” Patel said.
Later, Commerce Director Maynard Woodson said another applicant wanted the address, but it was rescinded. He also explained that the cap on there growers was reached, while others want approval.
“Whatever you need to do, get it done,” Stovell declared before the CCB approved the extension 4-0.
Additionally, the CREAM dispensary, located at 284 1st St., who was considered next for renewal and a consumption lounge.
“There was a court-appointed trustee who indicated he would be here … Why was a financial trustee appointed by the court?” Mondello asked
CREAM co-owner Jan Badenhorst explained they’ve had an internal dispute, to which Mondello said that in August 2024, their dispute became public through court records.
“We have had internal issues. We are family at the end of the day. … The litigation is ongoing,” Badenhorst said.
Pepe then asked about their violations, including one allegation of not properly performing age verification checks.
“Inventory was a little off. We were missing some tags,” Badenhorst stated.
Stovell asked if the family is still expecting to work together after the legal dispute concludes, to which he said it has actually helped them get through some issues.
“Tell us about this consumption lounge,” Mondello inquired.
“It’s an outdoor consumption lounge. It’s in the back courtyard. It is in a joint property with our neighbor,” Badenhorst explained.
“Does the ordinance require them to control the smells as well?” Stovell asked.
Mondello pointed out that the odor is not supposed to leave the property, to which Badenhorst is planning to install wall-mounted fans.
Additionally, Mondello noted there is no separate entrance and exit, which could be a problem. Similar, the city has limited lounges to one for each ward of the city and didn’t want to hold it up for others.
“Are you going to be able to get along?” Stovell asked.
Mondello noted they were not mandated to notice residents who might be unhappy about smelling cannabis from their balconies.
“That’s why they’re on the balcony,” Stovell joked.
“Most of them are our customers,” Badenhorst argued.
Stovell wanted them to demonstrate community support, while Patel inquired if a new court date had been set yet – which he was told there are 45 days to resolve it.
Ultimately, CREAM’s dispensary license was approved 4-0, while their lounge application was carried for 60 days 4-0.
In addition, Benedict’s Supply, Legacy to Lifted, Uforia, and Jersey Dispensary received renewed approvals to continue operating.
The downtown Bay St. Greenery noted they want to change the name to Authorized Dealer to associate with a chain, and were approved as well.
