Andrew Marshall, the young entrepreneur behind the cannabis-growing enterprise, testified with his attorney Kelly Carey at the beginning of the hearing. He explained that he is planning a “micro-cannabis” cultivating facility that conforms with state Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) rules.
His business, Genuine Grow, is adhering to the rules of keeping fewer than ten employees on his payroll (an average of three employees would be present during business hours) in a space of fewer than 2,500 square feet, and 1,000 mature cannabis plants a month. Having gotten a conditional license for his business in November 2022, Marshall needs to get both the Planning Board and Township Council to allow him to proceed, which then will allow him to have his conditional license converted to an annual license this coming May and to return to Montclair for final approval and site inspections of his facility prior to starting his business.
In addition, Marshall plans to hire employees locally, with an interest in hiring autistic Montclair residents through the REED Academy, a school in Oakland in Bergen County that teaches and nurtures autistic students and helps provide them with employment opportunities. The academy would not only be involved in the hiring process, it would also provide transportation for the employees.