Hoboken Councilman Addresses Cannabis Concerns, Stigma

HOBOKEN, NJ — As several cannabis dispensaries seek approvals in Hoboken, 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, who represents the northwest part of town, released a newsletter ahead of Wednesday's City Council meeting, sharing thoughts in response to the many discussions that have surrounded the applications.

Some residents of the northeast corner of town, where a new cannabis dispensary may open, have expressed concerns that it will cause problems in the densely populated area. And the council will consider voting Wednesday night on a measure to expand the Cannabis Review Board in town, which currently consists of the Hoboken council president and two members of the mayoral administration.

Councilman Cohen made several points in his newsletter:

• He wanted to distinguish between legitimate concerns, and "fears" about cannabis use and dispensaries
• He objected to a stigma surrounding users, noting that there was support in his community for legalization, and that many people rely on cannabis for medical use
• He's not opposed to expanding the Cannabis Review Board, in general
• He's willing to look at concerns about applicants.

Cohen wrote, in part (the full text is here):

"Last Wednesday evening, I was invited to a neighborhood meeting where for 90 minutes we discussed issues related to cannabis dispensaries. The following are my follow-up observations and comments that I emailed to the 30 neighbors who attended that I thought would be of interest to the community-at-large. The message has been slightly modified for general distribution...

"First, I completely agree that the legalization of cannabis and the reality that retail dispensaries may be coming to Hoboken has started an important series of conversations where some are expressing serious concerns. I believe the genesis of these concerns largely comes from the stigmatization of cannabis use. As I said in our meeting, the use of cannabis is prevalent in our community, whether it is in the row houses or in the Housing Authority. Cannabis is now a legal product in our community because the people of New Jersey, the people of Hoboken and the people of the 5th Ward want it to be.

"I knocked on thousands of doors three years ago introducing myself to voters as a first-time Council candidate. Discussions about cannabis legalization and related issues of social justice were important to many people I met who supported my candidacy. I share their concerns, as does the entire City Council. Many wonderful people in our community rely on cannabis products to address their medical issues....

"I don’t believe any of us should come to these conversations assuming using cannabis is bad or that cannabis users are bad people. They aren’t. They are my friends and they are my constituents..."

...I pointed out how we raised our children in the same neighborhood and spoke the truth that we all love our neighborhood. I moved to the 5th Ward in 1986 as a 21 year-old college grad about to attend law school. Rebecca and I chose to raise our children here in the 5th Ward, just as you and many of the folks who attended the meeting have done... but I also said that I believe people have not fully considered or read the significant state and local protections that are in place — protections that increase the likelihood that the fears expressed last Wednesday will not come to pass."

"...I am a practicing attorney, who believes protecting the City from liability is important for the city and for you as a taxpayer. When it comes to applications in front of municipal boards, it is a long-standing state precedent, as we have been advised by Corporation Counsel, that the law at the time of an applicant’s application is the law that governs an application’s review — not the law as amended, after an application is filed...

"...Some of the most vocal attendees at our meeting were homeowners and members of the 51-53 14th Street Condominium Association, including the individual who sold the Hudson Tavern business to a new owner who seeks to invite the Story Dispensary to operate there. You may be aware that just last week members of the 51-53 14th Street Condo Association had filed an action in Hudson County Chancery Court to enjoin the Story Dispensary from operating at that location and is also suing for money damages from new owners. That dispute will play out in court. I note that in one of my March newsletters I shared thoughts with the community about the 51-53 14th Street project and you can read them here."

"I look forward to continuing this conversation, as it is critical to get these issues, and the laws associated with them, right."

The full newsletter is here.

Earlier in the week, Hoboken Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher had urged people people concerned about the proposed cannabis dispensary on 14th Street to dial into the virtual Hudson County Planning Board meeting Tuesday, and to Wednesday's City Council meeting (see more information below).

A number of dispensaries are hoping to open in Hoboken, and must get various state and local approvals. In recent months, the Hoboken council has tightened laws allowing the to come, including limiting the number of dispensaries in town to six.

• Here is a link to watch the council meeting on Facebook.
• Here is a link to the council agenda and the agenda packet, with instructions for attending the meeting.

Read more background here: Pot Or Not? More Cannabis Dispensary Applications To Be Heard

Read the most recent story about the dispensary applications in Hoboken here.

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