The legalization of marijuana in the Garden State — and the social and economic justice goals that underpin the new laws — has made the city of Passaic a prime candidate for cannabis investment.
Given the right applicants, Passaic said, it would back cultivation plans. Last year it adopted zoning permitting its growing and manufacturing east of Route 21.
Now, Mayor Hector Lora said, there are three businesses seeking cultivation licenses in the city. One is a standard license and two are microbusiness cultivators. The city supports all three in their bids.
The standard applicant is Maria Canna Rosa LLC, which hopes to grow at 220 Passaic St., a large strip mall.
Luxxe Green, which is looking to establish a microbusiness on Eighth Street, and Garden State Born, on Fifth Street, are the other two.
"We had quite a number express interest," Lora said.
City officials viewed many would-be applicants — especially those seeking retail sales licenses — with skepticism.