The Jersey City Cannabis Control Board (CCB) reviewed the controversial application of Local Modiv dispensary, encouraged Glue Lagoon to reapply, and approved others at last night’s meeting.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Local Modiv attorney Justin Jacobs noted they were denied by the CCB back in September 2024, with the majority of those members since leaving the board, and this came after the Jersey City Council granted them approval in April 2023.
Both came after they won their lawsuit in Hudson County Superior Court in December 2022, which mandated approval of their application.
“The applicant has a resolution of support from City Council … This was a unique application,” CCB attorney Ron Mondello noted.
“Why was it denied?” Commissioner Isaiah Franco asked.
“There were questions about the community impact,” Jacobs replied.
Mondello recalled that the CCB didn’t believe they had obtained enough community support two years ago, which is why the application was rejected.
“They’re on the same block?” Commissioner Micheline Grace-Lewis asked.
“Back then, there was a lot of outside influence that affected decisions … It was interpreted many different ways above our pay grade,” CCB Chair Jeff Kaplowitz alleged.
Mondello also pointed out that the Jersey City cannabis ordinance has since changed, nonetheless, Jacobs said they should act like no one has a dispensary in the area, like in the beginning of the process in 2022 when they applied.
To that, Mondello replied “it is the time of application that rules everything.”
“Were you denied also because of the distance? Is that a factor right now?” Franco asked, to which Kaplowitz said they should act as if there are no other dispensaries on the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza right now.
Co-founder Chelsea Duffy recounted her business background and work with non-profits helping women and children.
“Many people have told us to give up, but here we are,” she began.
Fellow co-founder Matt Cimiluca explained he started a business and worked for another dispensary previously, adding that his family helped buy the building after he sold his house.
Venus Smith, of 1634 Funk dispensary, along with others, testified in support of them opening, while Smith in particular criticize their potential competitor, Downtown Flwr, whose license is in limbo over alleged poor working conditions, as HCV first reported.
“I don’t think it’s fair that a billionaire that doesn’t live in Jersey City and a woman who does not live in Jersey City have the right to open an establishment on the Newark plaza where we have this wonderful person who has supported Jersey City for years,” Smith argued.
Mondello reiterated that a prior iteration of the board argued that they did not have much formal community support, but they do now.
“ … We like Chelsea. It’s not our fight with Chelsea. It’s the other one down the block,” Frank Robinson, a consultant for Garden Greenz dispensary said, referring to Downtown Flwr during their public comment period.
“… I’m sorry what you had to go through what you went through. I’m sorry I was a part of that …The motion is based upon justice,” Kaplowitz stated.
“I’m impressed with the specific women’s initiatives you’re taking,” Commissioner Daniela Pepe said.
Commissioner Robert Napiorski also apologized on behalf of the previous board members, indicating they had “gone above and beyond.”
Grace-Lewis said that while she had some concerns about the amount of dispensaries on the plaza, she didn’t think it would be fair to penalized Local Modiv after they won their court case and garnered community support.
The CCB approved the application unanimously (5-0) with Vice Chair Patrick Patel absent to cheers.
The proposed cultivator Glue Lagoon, seeking to open at 77 Forest St, was next. Mondello noted they have had space issues, though the applicant argued that’s been resolved.
“I got a new location. It’s 78 Grace Street in Jersey City. I have the Letter of Intent from the landlord,” Glue Lagoon owner Eli Terry exclaimed.
“How does that affect our process?” Kaplowitz asked.
“If he’s moving to a new place, it’s a completely different application … it affects everything,” Mondello said.
Kaplowitz questioned if they had submitted the new location to staff, to which Terry said they were putting the ease together soon.
“We’re not over the cap of the number of cultivators. He could start new as an application,” Commerce Department Director Maynard Woodson said.
Mondello said that for a new application at a new address, he’d also have to pay more application fees, which, as a microbusiness, would be $2,500.
“When are you going to have a signed lease?” Kaplowitz asked and Terry said next month, near Candid dispensary, located at 3662 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
“My advice is the board consider revoking the previous endorsement … It’s up to the applicant to start from ground zero,” Mondello said.
Woodson noted Terry needed to verify a cultivation site was allowed there since the CCB was unclear off hand.
“We do want to see you move forward,” Napiorski said.
The CCB then revoked their approval 5-0, though encouraged them to reapply with the new address.
Additionally, Backpack Boyz, which wants to open a dispensary at 746 Grand St., had their application heard.
Kaplowitz asked where they stood, to which applicant Analia Villani said they had submitted everything they have, adding that they’re waiting on the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) for paperwork to open.
“You’re basically stuck in that never never land?” Kaplowitz asked.
“Yes,” Villani said.
“So basically you’re asking for an extension? Kaplowitz asked.
“Yes,” Villani said again, further stating they could open as soon as September.
Mondello then sought clarification on what was needed for them to open.
“We’re just waiting for licensing from the state,” Villani said, prompting Mondello to ask if a timeframe was given.
“The CRC has already come in … We’ve turned in all of our paperwork. We’re just waiting for them to give us our license,” Villani explained.
In response, Woodson said to send a copy of the state license once it is issued.
“Pay your fees and give us your exact opening date because you have to create your tax account,” Commerce Department Supervising Clerk Marquiea Starks said.
The CCB voted 5-0 for approval.
Further, The Cannabis Place 420 dispensary at 1542 John F. Kennedy Blvd. was up for renewal.
“Give us a background on your year. We know you’re all paid up,” Kaplowitz said.
CEO Osbert Orduna noted they have a community impact room he allowed non-profits to utilize at no charge, which he later called it an in-kind contribution of $50,000 after many uses.
Kaplowitz asked about any obstacles they have encountered.
“Within walking distance of our store there are illicit operators,” Orduna replied.
He added that he has spearheaded a group called the “Jersey City Coalition for Responsible Cannabis” that is advocating the shutdown of shady smoke shops.
“People turn to the illicit market … because it’s cheaper. There’s no two percent cannabis tax,” Orduna stated, also claiming that the city had done little when it comes to enforcement, which has led to dangerous conditions at times..
“I agree with you,” Kaplowitz said before re-approving their application 5-0.
1634 Funk, LLC , located at 394 Communipaw Ave. and owned by Jeffrey Devine and Venus Smith, was next.
“We would like to tell you business is wonderful. But the truth is it’s not. We see every coffee shop sell coffee and a pre-roll,” Smith noted.
Smith explained that the city’s two percent tax and fees are burdensome and that their business actually lost money last year.
“There are probably like eight stores or establishments in our immediate area that are selling. They don’t pay you any taxes. They don’t pay you any fees,” Smith explained.
“And the police call us to ask us for money! I asked them, ‘When are you going to start closing down the illegal establishments? And he said, well, we need money,” she declared, prompting some nervous laughter in the room.
Kaplowitz expressed sympathy for their plight.
“ … I wish that the entire cannabis community in Jersey City forms an alliance with each other… and come down to the council to speak as a huge bloc,” he stated, a sentiment he repeated several times throughout the meeting.
“Hopefully things change under the new administration,” he added, which Napiorski seconded.
The CCB renewed their license unanimously (5-0).
Garden Greenz dispensary, located at 190 Newark Ave., was also renewed, along with Hazy Harvest at 398 Pacific Ave., Green Flamingo at 447 Central Ave., Lifted Vision at 481 Central Ave., and Memes Danckk World at 1702-1704 John F. Kennedy Blvd. with little, if any, discussion.
Finally, the grower Green Sky Grow was approved by the CCB to operate at 155 Van Wagenen Ave. by another 5-0 tally.
