In an editorial, 5th District Hudson County Commissioner candidate Ron Bautista gives his opinion on how Hudson County is failing on cannabis and how he would fight to change that if elected next year.
I say this not just as a candidate for County Commissioner, but as someone who’s personally experienced the healing benefits of cannabis. During a chapter in my adult life filled with chronic stress and burnout, cannabis helped me rebalance.
It supported my nervous system when I needed to stay grounded and present. It helped me show up more fully for my family, my health, and my community.
That’s the side of cannabis we don’t talk about enough. And it’s why I believe that education, access, and care should be at the center of how we move forward.
When 70% of our neighbors in Hudson County chose to legalize cannabis, we weren’t just saying yes to dispensaries, we were saying yes to healing, to justice, and to smarter public health.
That was a public mandate. And now it’s time for our Hudson County government to fulfill that commitment.
While cities like Hoboken and Jersey City are collecting cannabis tax revenue, the county government has done little to ensure that legalization brings equity, education, or wellness infrastructure to our communities. As County Commissioner, I’ll fight to change that.
First, if we don’t educate people, social media and peer pressure will do it for us. That’s why we need a Cannabis Education & Reinvestment Fund, dedicating 1% of the county budget surplus to fund community-based education.
When people understand how cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system, they’re more likely to make informed, safe, and empowered choices. Teaching science isn’t the same as promoting use.
It is through education that we can promote body literacy, mental health awareness, and harm reduction. We must take on the opportunity to lead with facts, not fear.
Second, I propose a Cannabis Wellness Zones Program to open up county-owned spaces for public health events that include cannabis education.
In those spaces, we can train residents in endocannabinoid system science, trauma-informed care, and public health integration.
This way, we can help in ending the stigma and normalizing cannabis as part of holistic wellness, especially for our veterans, caregivers, and neighbors living with chronic pain.
And while the county government has work to do, I urge the Jersey City councilmembers to take action too. Cannabis entrepreneurs like Dr. Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez have paid thousands in fees for permits, but the city still hasn’t activated its Cannabis Review Board.
During the current absence of the Cannabis Review Board, there has been no public process for the recent increase in license renewals this year from $10,000 to $15,000.
I urge Jersey City councilmembers to delay renewal fee increases until the Review Board is activated.
We legalized cannabis. Now, let’s commit to deliver healing, education, and accountability in how we implement it.
Ron Bautista
Hudson County Commissioner Candidate, District 5
Being a stoned out communist is no way to go through life, Ron.
“Cannabis is dangerous. 30 years ago THC used to be 2%-4%. Now legal Cannabis is 30% THC. Nearly half of drivers killed in crashes had THC in their blood.”
– American College of Surgeons
This is separate from new studies showing other harms to using marijuana today.
https://x.com/BartemyS/status/1975710592913584230
Being half the commenters on HCV while living in your mom’s basement is no way to go through life, Karen the gelding. Bautista is raising 2 children in town. You’re raising a little dust cloud by the water heater and still don’t know where children come from.