Military Veteran Wants To Open Weed Dispensary In Bloomfield

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Planning Board unanimously approved an application from a military veteran who wants to open a retail cannabis dispensary at 368 Broad Street during their public meeting this week.

The application from Emerald Tea Company sought conditional use and minor site plan approval to operate a class 5 retail adult cannabis dispensary in a neighborhood business B-2 zone.

Jason Leisey – who owns the service-disabled, veteran-owned small business – and his attorney offered some details about the proposal during Tuesday’s meeting (watch the video below). Leisey, a New Jersey resident since 2010, is an Iraq War veteran who earned a Purple Heart after he was severely injured by a car bomb in 2005.

Some highlights from the presentation include:

• The Bloomfield Police Department has approved a security plan for the dispensary
• Hours would be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday
• There are plans for 20 full-time hourly jobs
• The business would generate an estimated $150,000 revenue to Bloomfield through the 2 percent cannabis transfer tax

Two other cannabis-related applications were scheduled to be heard at Tuesday’s meeting, but both were adjourned to the board’s meeting on June 13.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Bloomfield Facebook page.