Hoboken

The saga surrounding a local cannabis dispensary has escalated this week after the Hoboken non-profit, led by a council candidate, advocating against the store opening, threatened sanctions over litigation fees.

Blue Violets Cannabis Dispensary lost a court case in September against the non-profit Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis (HRC) who claimed the store's location on Washington Street was too close to schools, violating a local ordinance, and therefore is not permitted to open.

The first recreational cannabis applicant to be approved for the city of Hoboken is now seeing that approval reversed for being too close to a school.

The community group Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis filed the successful challenge against the proposed dispensary, Blue Violets, owned by Lauren Chang Thompson and her husband Max.

The owners of Blue Violet Cannabis Dispensary pleaded for a compromise at Wednesday night’s council meeting following last month's court decision that ruled that its premise was too close to schools to open.

Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis (HRC) objected to the opening of the dispensary, arguing that its Washington Street location violates an ordinance stating that cannabis dispensaries must not be within 600 feet of schools.

She also vowed to engage, inform, and advocate, specifically on ongoing projects like revitalizing the housing authority, building a community center and pool, and preventing the Story Dispensary from opening at the site of the old Hudson Tavern.

While the dispensary has full municipal approval, it is awaiting a hearing from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission as the condo association, dispensary, and building owners, which includes Jaclyn Fulop, the wife of Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, remain embroiled in litigation.

Nearly 40 years ago, actress Clara Peller appeared in ads for Wendy's asking, "Where's the beef?" But the question in Hoboken on 4/20 may be, "Where's the weed?" — particularly since none of the already-approved cannabis dispensaries have opened.

And recently, an "exotic" grocery store on Washington Street was shut down because, according to police, it was selling illegal cannabis without a license, and allegedly employed a juvenile.

The City of Hoboken has officially asked the State of New Jersey to ban the hemp-based cannabinoid known as Delta-8 THC. This is not to be confused with legal marijuana, or Delta-9 THC.

Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as Delta-8 THC, is a psychoactive substance found in the cannabis sativa plant, of which marijuana and hemp are two varieties. Delta-8 THC is one of over 100 cannabinoids produced naturally by the cannabis plant but is not found in significant amounts in the cannabis plant.

A Hoboken business that was approved to sell recreational cannabis is facing challenges. Blue Violets is being sued for its proximity to two schools, The group, Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis, says the business violates regulations that prohibit a cannabis dispensary within 600 feet of primary schools.

Candidates for Hoboken City Council usually don't announce their races this early in the year, but a few residents are already gearing up for a tough battle against incumbents in November 2023.

On Monday, Liz Urtecho, who founded a local activist group called Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis, announced she will face Councilman Phil Cohen for the 5th Ward seat in fall.

Among Hoboken's six wards, the 5th covers the northwest section of town, which has been bustling with redevelopment of parks and residential areas.

The Hoboken City Council voted 5-4 last Wednesday to support the application of Story cannabis dispensary, at Fourteenth and Hudson streets, to New Jersey's Cannabis Regulatory Commission.

The vote cleared another hurdle for the dispensary, which had received Hoboken Planning Board approval last month.

But some Hoboken residents, particularly neighbors of the proposed site and a councilwoman who represents them, still oppose the proposal.

Assemblyman Raj Mukherji’s involvement in a cannabis dispensary plan in Hoboken is leading to allegations of unfair political influence by critics of the plan who are intent on keeping the dispensary from opening.