New Jersey Legalization

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 recording, played for the audience and councilmembers that had gathered to hear a proposal for a cannabis dispensary in the Browns Mills section of Pemberton (see separate story), featured statements such as, “In the early 1900s, an influx of Mexican immigrants came to the U.S.

“Support” has been given by Pemberton Township Council, in a 3-2 vote on Oct. 25, for the “location” and “operation” of a cannabis dispensary at 348 Lakehurst Road in the Browns Mills section of the municipality, with a mixture of opinions expressed by residents prior to the decision, with those for it appearing to outnumber those against it, though there was some bitter opposition voiced, making for a lively debate.

A Black former manager at Ascend Wellness Holdings who sued the multistate operator alleging he was mistreated and fired because of his race recently settled his case out of court, documents show.

Tyrick Gales, a Pennsylvania resident who worked at Ascend’s cultivation operation in Franklin, New Jersey, sued Ascend in federal court in March.

The two parties agreed before trial to drop the suit, according to a Nov. 1 letter from Ascend attorney Ivan Novich to U.S. District Court Judge Jessica Allen.

Terms of the settlement were not available.

Since licensed sales of recreational cannabis became legal in New Jersey in 2022, career opportunities in the billion-dollar industry have grown rapidly—and some colleges and universities in the state are getting in on the action.

The Garden at Red Bank, a cannabis business, needs a conditional-use OK from the board for its plan to build a one-story, 2,542-square-foot structure on site at the town’s northern gateway, where Route 35 (Riverside Avenue) meets Rector Place and Bridge Avenue.

The plan calls for 31 parking spaces, landscaping improvements and more.

A January filing with the New Jersey Secretary of State identifies the management of Garden at Red Bank LLC as Jamie Dinar, of “Long Beach, NJ,” though the zip code included is for Long Branch.

So, readers have gotten to know Martin. But what about his views on the issues?

“I know many people know me as the councilman who is pushing cannabis on Tuckerton, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Cannabis on the ballot
Recent council concerns about cannabis businesses in the borough are reflected in two non-binding questions on the ballot:

Question 1: “Do you support allowing cannabis businesses to operate in the Borough of Oakland for cultivation, manufacturing, wholesaling and distribution of recreational cannabis defined as Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 cannabis licenses by New Jersey state statutes and regulations?”

Brute’s Roots, a woman-owned, family-run recreational cultivator in South Jersey, is bringing its products to market through a newly formed wholesale retail channel made up of other female-led cannabis companies.

As of Oct. 25, the brand’s signature strain, The GoodFather, is on the shelves at Valley Wellness in Raritan, URB’N Dispensary in Newark and Holistic Solutions in Atco, as well as the Brute’s Roots dispensary in Egg Harbor.

An East Brunswick limited liability company wants to turn a former Metuchen bank into Central New Jersey’s first drive-thru dispensary for recreational marijuana.

Dasco Solutions LLC, has applied to the Metuchen Planning Board to re-purpose the former Skylands Community Bank, at 700 Middlesex Ave., turning it into the area’s first drive-thru pot dispensary.

Buying marijuana products without getting out of your car is still rarity in New Jersey.