Where's The Weed? Hoboken Is Still Waiting For First Cannabis Dispensary To Open

HOBOKEN, NJ — Nearly 40 years ago, actress Clara Peller appeared in ads for Wendy's asking, "Where's the beef?" But the question in Hoboken on 4/20 may be, "Where's the weed?" — particularly since none of the already-approved cannabis dispensaries have opened.

And recently, an "exotic" grocery store on Washington Street was shut down because, according to police, it was selling illegal cannabis without a license, and allegedly employed a juvenile. READ MORE: City Shuts Hoboken Exotic, Makes 3 Arrests

So far, two medical dispensaries and three recreational dispensaries have gotten approval to open in Hoboken. But at least two of those approved sites are fending off lawsuits.

Marijuana was approved for medical use in New Jersey in 2010, and for recreational use in 2021. Sales of the latter were expected to begin in the Garden State a year ago.

Towns in North Jersey including Secaucus and Maplewood have seen dispensaries open, but the matter is thornier in mile-square Hoboken.

Last year, the City Council voted to cap the number of dispensaries in town at six, saying that the previous summer, they'd made mistakes by changing the zoning to allow easier approval for dispensaries.

Founders of dispensaries who had already applied argued that they should be grandfathered in.

Story Dispensary, whose storefront is co-owned by Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop's wife, has been the subject of lawsuits and a petition from neighbors.

Another lawsuit has been filed against a smaller dispensary, Blue Violets, which was founded by two Weehawken residents. They nevertheless celebrated their hard-won state approval in February, announcing they'd received a license to be a microdispensary — one of only five in the state.

Not Just About Opposition

Aside from the two Hoboken dispensaries that are the subject of lawsuits, what about the three others?

The city's two approved medical marijuana dispensaries — which are to be located within walking distance from the Hoboken Train Terminal — have cited a few reasons for the delays.

And a proposed recreational dispensary uptown called the Jersey Joint is waiting for construction to finish.

In a story on NJ.com, the two medical dispensaries said they still plan to open but cited vague reasons for not opening yet, including construction and the permitting process.

Jersey City has a number of dispensaries that could open in the near future, but also have not. Among those, Blossom Dispensary says it's "Coming soon." Rapper Ice-T has also gotten approval for a dispensary.

So, Where's The Weed?

In the meantime:

• Harmony Dispensary in Secaucus sells both medical and recreational cannabis.
• Here are a few places to buy near Newark and in Essex County.
• A number of marijuana delivery companies sell in North Jersey.

Read prior reporting on the issue in Hoboken Patch.

Submit a letter or release to Hoboken Patch about the matter (or ask a question) using these instructions.