Hoboken Forum: Should Marijuana Stores Be Allowed, And Where?

HOBOKEN, NJ — If New Jersey moves ahead with recreational cannabis legalization as planned, should Hoboken allow dispensaries and retail stores in the city? And if so, where should they be allowed to set up shop?

These are two of the questions that will be addressed at a public forum on marijuana hosted by Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and the City Council. The forum will also include several local elected officials and nonprofits.

The forum will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 19 at the Hoboken Jubilee Center, 601 Jackson Street. Panelists will include Amol Sinha of the ACLU of New Jersey, Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante, Sasha Huertz of Garden State of Mind, and local NJ State Assembly members.

“The legalization of marijuana is an important issue, both socially and economically,” Bhalla said. “This is a social justice issue. While people of all races use marijuana recreationally at about the same rates, people of color are disproportionately more likely to be arrested. Additionally, cannabis has a number of medicinal benefits that would have positive effects on the lives of residents. Beyond that, this could be a big boon for the local economy. Given the massive impact of legalization, we want to make sure we handle this locally in a way that includes public input.”

In an email to Hoboken residents, Councilwoman Jen Giattino said that the City Council had placed an ordinance for first reading on the October 17 agenda regarding marijuana establishments in the city. However, that potential city ordinance was removed from the agenda by Giattino and Council President Ruben Ramos at an agenda meeting on Oct. 11 to “give the council and the public the opportunity to understand what is being proposed by the Administration and get input from Hoboken residents.”

According to Giattino, the ordinance would allow the sale of marijuana in certain areas: I-1, I-1(W), I-2, CBD and Court Street Subdistrict (see below image).

Giattino said that in the proposed ordinance:

• “Marijuana dispensaries and retail stores are NOT allowed in Residential Zones, although Court Street and I-1(W) are arguably residential.”
• “The maximum number of licenses in Hoboken is three and no more than one license can be in a district.”

On Sunday, Hoboken City Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher sent an email with suggested questions for residents to ponder before the meeting:

• What is the status of the State level legislation? When do we think it will be voted on and what will be included?
• How is Senator Stack expected to vote on the legislation?
• What research did the Administration do in preparation for their proposed ordinance?
• What commitments will Hoboken Police make in terms of enforcing the prohibition of smoking marijuana in public places? How do we expect to keep it off our sidewalks?
• What do we expect the three proposed Marijuana Establishments to generate in tax revenue for the State and for Hoboken?
• What do we expect the additional costs of compliance and enforcement to be?
• What does decriminalization mean? How many people in Hoboken are arrested for marijuana use annually? What is the current enforcement practices?
• Why are the cost of the licenses only $15,000?
• Are child care and preschool locations included in the 1000 ft. exclusionary zone?
• Why would the I1-W zone be included in the inclusionary area if the area was recommended in our recently approved Land Use Element to be rezoned as a residential zone R-4?
• How do we realistically expect our current unruly bar scene to be impacted by the sale of recreational marijuana? Edibles in particular.
• Why does Hoboken have to be first?

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