Controversial Cannabis Conversations Continue In Hoboken: Hearings Coming

HOBOKEN, NJ — The controversial application from Story Dispensary to open a recreational cannabis dispensary in Hoboken will continue at a Planning Board meeting in mid-September after being heard at the Aug. 11 meeting.

Meanwhile, another member was added to Hoboken's Cannabis Review Board at the city's last council meeting. And a lawsuit by a condo association against the dispensary has been dismissed with prejudice (but could be brought again), reports said.

Cannabis Updates

Now that recreational cannabis dispensaries are allowed in Hoboken, several such businesses have been jockeying to become among the first to open — but they must get the approval of the state, the city's Cannabis Review Board, and the local Planning Board.

Earlier this year, the city limited the number of total dispensaries that can open in town (including medical) to six, and also expanded the Cannabis Review Board from its original makeup of three people (two of whom were city employees and one who is a councilman).

While several dispensaries have already been approved in Hoboken, slots remain — and Story Dispensary was one of the first to apply for a non-medical dispensary.

But the location has aroused opposition. The dispensary would open at Fourteenth and Hudson streets, the former site of the Hudson Tavern restaurant. It's a heavily residential area near the northeasternmost tip of the city's waterfront.

As of Monday night, a petition against the dispensary had amassed 1,786 signatures.

Residents say they were led to believe that a physical therapy practice run by the wife of Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop would open at that site. Instead, Jaclyn Fulop and her partners, who bought the storefront, are hoping to open Story. (The physical therapy practice opened across the street last year.)

The condo association has sued the owners of the storefront, but that suit has been dismissed, Hudson County View reported. Still, the plaintiffs can bring the suit again, and can continue to oppose the dispensary in the hearings.

Recent Hearing

At the Aug. 11 Planning Board hearing, a traffic engineer for Story testified for four hours, according to a rundown in Hudson County View.

The engineer maintained that traffic for the dispensary wouldn't differ much from traffic for a restaurant.

He was asked many questions, and in the process noted that he had recently worked for the county of Hudson on the 14th Street Viaduct.

The hearing will continue on Sept. 19, as of now.

Also, at a recent council meeting, Hoboken resident Katie Morse was added to the Cannabis Review Board. Councilman Phil Cohen sponsored the resolution.

Read past stories about Hoboken cannabis dispensaries here.

Read more Hoboken business news here, and send tips to Hoboken Patch here: Pot Thickens: Hobokenites Organize For Hearing On Cannabis Dispensary