Montclair Awards 2 New Marijuana Business Licenses To Dispensaries

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Town Council paved the way for two more recreational marijuana dispensaries in town during their public meeting this week.

On Tuesday, the council passed resolutions authorizing Class 5 cannabis retailer licenses for Night Owl LLC and Kush Connection LLC.

Night Owl will be located at 300 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, the site of the former DLV Lounge. Kush Connection will be located at 135 Valley Road in Montclair, across the street from Tierney's Tavern.

Both businesses must obtain a conditional use permit from the Montclair Planning Board before building permits can be issued for cannabis retailer use.

Montclair is home to one of the state's first medical marijuana dispensaries, Ascend, formerly known as Greenleaf. Ascend began selling recreational cannabis to adult customers in 2022.

With the two new retail licenses, Montclair has reached the maximum for that category under its local cannabis businesses regulations. Under the town’s current law, here is the maximum number of cannabis licenses (and what type) Montclair can issue:

• Retail – 3
• Delivery Service – 3
• Wholesale – 1
• Distributor – 1
• Manufacturer – 1
• Cultivator – 1

The township has already awarded a manufacturing license to TLEHL Inc. and a cultivation license to Genuine Grow. Both will be located at 154 Pine Street. Read More: 2 Cannabis Businesses In Montclair Will Be Located In Same Building

Retailers and dispensaries pay a 2 percent transfer tax to Montclair based on their gross sales. Cultivators/growers also pay 2 percent, and manufacturers/wholesalers pay 1 percent.

“We took our time to make sure we got this right and I’m really happy that we’re awarding these licenses to Montclair locals,” councilman Peter Yacobellis said.

“It makes me really happy to see Montclair residents obtaining the majority of these licenses overall in a new industry where multi-state operators might have had a strong advantage,” Yacobellis said, adding that “if all goes well,” he sees the township opening up its law to consider additional licenses in all categories next year.

• See Related: NJ Weed Businesses Don't Hurt Home Values – And May Even Help: Study

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