The Jersey City Council voted down the application of a cannabis consumption lounge for the Other Side dispensary last night since the business is currently closed and owes the city back taxes.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
The Other Side Dispensary CEO, Dr. Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez, was among those scheduled to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting, but did not end up attending.
“There has been recent case law that has emerged in the NJ courts that impresses upon the governing body the importance of sharing your reasons on the record for casting the vote that you will choose to cast,” Corporation Counsel Sarah Levine said when the resolution came up.
“Would you prefer if I was to take a vote on everything except for 10.17 (The Other Side Dispensary Lounge) and then go back to it?” City Clerk Sean Gallagher asked.
“Sure would, thank you!” Levine replied.
The resolution cites the case Higher Breed NJ LLC v. The City of Burlington Common Council.
“I’m proud to support the legal cannabis industry in the city … But I’m going to vote no. Xena in Ward B did invite me for a tour … Their consumption lounge had cleared all relevant um building permitting,” began Ward B Councilman Joel Brooks.
“This business seeking the consumption lounge is delinquent on their taxes. There are six dispensaries in Ward D that could also apply for this license. That would prevent them from having the opportunity.”
Ward C Councilman Tom Zuppa also cited the delinquent tax issue and the fact that their are limited opportunities for consumption lounges.
“I understand that having this license would be beneficial to them selling their business or otherwise. But given everything before this council, I have to vote no.”
Ward D Councilman Jake Ephros said he has been in touch with Brevard-Rodriguez about her defunct dispensary at 36 Congress St., which is in his ward.
“I have been hearing her experiences navigating the process bot for opening up the dispensary in the first place and also for applying for the consumption area license,” he noted.
“I received a story that’s full of a lot of struggles and red tape and frustrations … I’m going to vote aye based on the business owner’s account that has been shared with me over the past many months we’ve been in communication.”
Ward E Councilwoman Eleana Little said that since the owner intends to sell the business, and since there is only one consumption lounge permitted per ward, she felt other applicants should have a chance and voted no.
Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore said the application came with too much uncertainty before voting no, while Councilwoman at-Large Mamta Singh agreed with most of her other colleagues it wouldn’t be fair to grant the application under the circumstances.
“This business is not a functioning business, nor do they intend to be. They want to use this license to attract a buyer,” explained Councilman at-Large Michael Griffin.
“There’s six other dispensaries in Ward D that could take advantage of this … versus it being sold to someone who doesn’t even have to go through the process.”
Councilman at-Large Rolando Lavarro asked how much they owe in taxes, to which Levine said she didn’t have the exact figure handy.
“If someone doesn’t pay their taxes, it’s a no for me immediately,” Lavarro declared, noting that he would hold that same standard for developers and anyone else who owns property in the city.
City Council President Denise Ridley also cited their delinquent reasons for why she couldn’t support the application before voting no.
Ultimately, the resolution was defeated 1-8, with Ephros being the only yes vote.
The Jersey City Cannabis Control Board (CCB) approved their license and renewal lounge application in March of this year, despite the tax issues, after hearing Brevard-Rodriguez tell her story, as HCV first reported.
The Other Side Dispensary first opened in the fall of 2024 after first receiving CCB approval in July 2022.
