Several people trying to open cannabis businesses in West Orange asked the town council when they will be approved and able to begin operations.
Victoria Nelson, co-owner of Lovely Leaf, shared, “I just wanted to let the council know that I am applying, so please keep the doors open so that I can complete my application.” She added, “I am a qualified micro business, and I'm looking to stay as a micro business for the foreseeable future if awarded a resolution for the town.”
Nelson noted that her attorney and her security company are both from town. Her accountant, Steven Shaiman, a West Orange High School alumni, mentioned, “Victoria has a lease, or she has an LOI [letter of intent] for lease on Prospect Avenue, and she spoke to Jim Abbott about it. He seems to be comfortable with the location.”
Darnnell Gibbs, a US Army combat veteran, stated that he is the Deputy Director of the Essex County House of Kids, a nonprofit youth organization that mentors at-risk children throughout the county. He is renting a location to sell cannabis and commented, “For the last two, maybe three months, it's been like a reversal of what you advocated before. Now it sounds like you guys sort of want to put the whole process on hold.”