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Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=Jni2sgS7ezw

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During the meetings, you're not allowed to like participate in the smoking of the weed. >> Well, let's go. >> Did Did you hit record? Oh, thanks. Okay. All right. Good evening. meeting of the cannabis control board of

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uh the city of Jersey City held Monday, June 22nd, 20 6 at approximately 506 um in accordance with the open public uh meetings act. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided by email to the

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Bergen uh record and I will do the uh the roll call and then we will commence with uh the oath. We have three new members tonight, so we don't have to worry about no more >> quarums being missing. Right. All right. Uh, Chairman Kaplowitz >> here.

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>> Vice Chairman Patel, Commissioner Eparoski >> here. >> Uh, Commissioner Patel, uh, Pepe, >> any idea where Danielle is? >> She's not gone. >> She called in. He wrote Mia. >> Oh, okay. It was Okay. All right. Uh, and then, uh, that's it. So, did I get

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it right? We got one, two, three. >> You only had three here. Oh, we all right. So, we don't have a quorum. We're going to have to >> That's right. >> We're going to have to backtrack. We need I counted myself as four. Uh so, we actually need a quorum to start the meeting. So, what we're going to do is square the new folks in and then we'll

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be able to call your names. So, if you could all stand and I have provided you with I think is a pretty decent copy of uh the oath and raise your right hand. All right. I please state your name. I Michelin Grace Lewis.

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>> I Isaiah Franco. >> I Christopher Solzano. >> Do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and partially and justly do >> swear I will faithfully do solely swear that I faithfully and partially and justly >> I doly swear that I faithfully and

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partially and justly perform all the duties. >> Okay, hold on. Perform all the duties of as member of the Jersey City Cannabis Control Board. perform all the duties as a member of the Jersey City Cannabis Control Board >> for the city of Jersey City

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>> for the city of Jersey City >> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. I further do solemnly swear >> I further do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will >> I will support the Constitution of the United States

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>> the Jersey City rules and regulations >> the Jersey City rules and regulations >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and that I will bear truth faith and allegiance to the same

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>> and to the governments established in the United States. and to the government established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Well, congratulations. >> Welcome on board. All right.

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>> I would I'd like to say thank you very much for volunteering your time and I look forward to working with you. >> I'm going to finish up the roll call with your permission, Mr. Chairman, which will solidify a very solid quorum. All right. Uh, Commissioner Solenzano,

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>> present. >> Uh, Commissioner Grace Lewis, >> present. >> And Commissioner Franco, >> present. >> All right, we are good to go. I'll hand it over to you, uh, Mr. Chairman, for the remainder of the agenda. It's my understanding that uh, Right. That's the

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next one. >> So, I think we're going to do the first couple of that are easy and then, uh, move on to the ones we have a little issues with. Okay. So the first one is CCB22-12

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downtown Florida 141 Newark Avenue Jersey City. >> Good evening Franks. Nice to see you again. Please enter your appearance into the record. >> Yes. Good evening. Franklos Gross >> one. Uh please turn your m and sit right

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at the table with your client. >> Franklos and Gross on behalf of >> Tom Flower. Chaz Randall, manager at Downtown Flower. >> Presumably, you will be testifying as Mr. Routolla cannot. Please raise your right hand. The square firm the

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testimony about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So, help you God. >> Yes. >> Uh, do me a favor. Please state your name again. Spell your last name. >> Sure. Jazz Randall and R A N D A L L. >> Thank you. Your witness counselor. >> Well, this is a pretty straightforward

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renewal. Um, there really hasn't been Has there been any material changes in the business? And um were you involved or uh by the way board um the co-owner is in the hospital having a baby today >> which is why >> oh she had a baby. Okay. She had a baby.

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So that's why I'm >> voter for Jersey City. >> Um so um with respect to the answers to the questionnaire um you have any doubts that anything in here is not the truth or accurate as far as you know? >> All accurate.

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>> Okay. And your and your business is continuing to um provide the the public services and charitable work that's described in here. >> Yes. >> And you've paid all the relevant fees? >> Yes. >> Okay. And there's been no changes in your security plan or any of these other items. Correct. >> Correct.

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>> Okay. Well, we would submit that um >> for the board's u information, your personal uh experience through the process and how the business has been working since you opened up. just some feedback and what your suggestions would

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be if you could change anything. >> Man, >> I know there'd be a lot. >> Uh, you know, the the regul uh regulations as they are now um seem to be working just fine for us. It helps to keep us in compliance and everything

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runs smoothly as the state uh you know goes through the process of what's working you know in for the industry and for you know the good of you know cannabis in general and cannabis use. >> Thank you.

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>> I'm sorry. Is the applicant still 75% uh womenowned? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Are there any questions from the board members? >> And and if might I uh Mr. Chairman, just for the edification of the new members. This was uh a an application that was

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approved some time ago and in fact uh I'm looking at one of my old there it is July 11, 2022 and they've been up and running for quite some time. They've come before this board and you can vote on this even though they're not going through the full application. They're simply before

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the board for a renewal for one year. And I know that Marquee was kind enough to pass around uh a status. They had no issues with paying their 2% municipal tax. There has been absolutely no complaints with respect to the CRC or

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the local police uh in Jersey City. Um they've indicated they'll continue to be active members of the community. They can continue to work with and support the same uh as well as additional organizations in our local community. So, um, perhaps you want to open it up

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to the public, Mr. Chair. >> Right. Just a comment. Uh, I was here when we first heard the application. Uh, and, you know, it was a great application. She hit all the marks that were, you know, envisioned by the state

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and the city. So, uh, I'll open it up to members of the community who want to come up and speak or have any comments. Seeing none, >> back to the deis for a motion followed by a second and then I'll do the roll call.

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>> Is there a motion? >> So moved. >> Okay. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All right. All right. I'm doing Maynard's job. So I know now that I'm on Medicare, you got to slow down a little bit. >> That's it. >> Okay. Chairman Kaplowitz.

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>> Uh yes. Congratulations. I >> Vice Chairperson Patel. >> Yes. Uh, Commissioner Neparoski, >> I. >> All right. Commissioner uh, Solenzano. >> Solano. >> I. >> And Commissioner Lewis. >> I. >> And Commissioner Franco.

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>> Yes. >> All right. Motion passes. Congratulations. Best of luck. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Okay. Next one. CCB22-2

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MMD New Jersey 655 Newick Avenue renewal. Please step up to the seat. Who is going to be testifying this evening? >> I I will. >> All right. Please raise your right hand. Do you swear affirm the testimony about to give you the truth, the whole truth,

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and nothing but the truth? So, I hope you got it. >> Yes. >> All right. What would you like to tell the board about this uh renewal? >> Um well, we're excited about it. Um we're coming up on our two-year anniversary. Um which is exciting, I think, and interesting because uh the

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market is constantly changing as more and more uh cannabis retailers come online. So, we've done I think we're really proud of the job we've done in actually growing our business in what could be considered, you know, a difficult um market, but we love it and

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um we think that our ties to the community and just the great work of our staff and the support of our community is is why we are and continue to be successful and are just hoping to keep growing. >> So, this application was approved. Um

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Oh, that's the wrong form here. Sorry. Anything else you want to tell the board? >> No, but I'm happy to answer any questions >> or any comments uh about the process or your experience? >> I mean, I think one of the great things about the state of New Jersey, I will

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say that's incredibly helpful is when you are opening your business pre-opening, you get assigned like your investigator from the CRC and that's the same person that you work with. Oh, that's >> so as opposed to just going into like a loop of like who's who's my inspector

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today or who do I ask questions to, we've had the same inspector since pre-opening. So any questions we have, any issues that arise, like I'm talking to the same knowledgeable person. They know us. They're the person that comes in and physically inspects the store. And I actually think that's a really

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clever and efficient way to do it. So I think bravo to the state for that system. >> All right. So, this was an application that indeed was approved by the CCB back on May 9th, 2022. I know at that time it was Steve and his

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brother, >> correct? They are still ownership. They could not be here. Uh, Shirley is also an owner. Um, but I'm the director of public affairs and licensing, so this is really my wheelhouse if there's any questions and anything to answer to.

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>> Yeah. So, u there are some issues. They appear to be somewhat minor, but you had at least two violations. Uh the first one was in violation of NJAC1 1730-9- sorry3 AI. Each cannabis business at a

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minimum shall utilize the inventory tracking system. Can you explain what occurred there please? So both of the violations that you see I think are sort of almost like tied together and I will say it was a very interesting process

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for the second violation that I think is a bit more technical and it's a bit longer I think of a description of what it was >> update the product inventories on or at least a daily basis. >> Okay. Correct. So that we kind of became the canary in the coal mine for that. It was a total miscommunication between our

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POSOS system and metric and the CRC. So, we had to get everybody involved to figure it out. Um, it was definitely it took longer than any of us wanted, but we had to work with three separate agencies including metrics like how

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metric was communicating with RPOS blah blah blah. It was very very technical. Again, Jessica was with us every step of the way and found that other dispensaries across the state were having similar issues, so we kind of got to help iron it all out. Um, on May

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11th, we had our last on-site inspection and were 100% compliant. >> So, was it mostly on the state level that the system wasn't clicking with the individual? >> I I think I think it was really the POS system and metric. they were just not

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aligning and you would metric would say that's not what we're seeing and the POSOS system would say that's not what we're seeing. So, um they figured out how to rectify it and it hasn't happened since. It did again take a little longer than I think any of us wanted to. Um but

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as of our last on-site inspection were fully compliant. And I think the other thing that's important to remember is and again that I appreciate is the CRC is not like hiding behind a bush like trying to go gotcha. You know, they're

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really there to get you to compliance, right? And so when we looked at our system from our view like you know everyone has a different view of the back end of a system, right? When we looked at it, it looked correct. When the CRC and metric looked at it, it

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didn't look correct. So those kinds of things are not going to be unveiled to us until we have oversight. So we like welcome it. And again, I think the spirit in which the CRC operates is the correct spirit. It's like how do we

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problem solve? How do we get you to compliance? And I mean a lot like what your job is when you see applicants come before you that are having a hard time getting open. Like you're here to help them get there. You're not here to like, you know, get in their way. So, it was it was a learning experience for all of

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us, but um yeah, we take compliance really seriously and um we're happy that we are clear of that one. >> I note that the taxes are paid in full. >> Yes. >> Any questions from the members? >> Open. It's now open to the public. Any

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members of the public would like to speak? Seeing none, uh I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion. >> Is Okay. Is there a second? Second. >> Okay. Okay. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Hearing none. Seeing none, the motion

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carries. Congratulations. Best of luck. >> Thank you. Thank you for your volunteerism and hard work. We appreciate it. >> Thank you everybody. >> Thank you. >> Okay, next one. CCB22-34 RIP Dispensary 220 Broadway, Jersey

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City. Nice to see you again, Jonathan. Who's going to be testifying? >> All right. Would you please raise your right hand? Do you square from the testimony about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth to help you God? >> I do. >> Please state your name, spell your last

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name. >> Jonathan Bednarsh. Bh. >> Jonathan, what would you like to tell the board with respect to renewing your license? Uh, this board approved on, I believe, October 17th, 2022.

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>> Well, first of all, thank you for hearing our renewal. Um, and welcome new commissioners. Um, you got a fun and exciting job ahead of you. Uh, we were, as a reminder, we were actually the first, um, legal license dispensary, medical, and then wreck here in Jersey

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City. >> Um, you know, we've we have a solid business. Uh we have great loyal customers that um are really appreciative of um what we do every day and and our team and um that's really the best part of the business is that

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interaction with people. I mean there are people that come in twice a day. There are people that we see all the time. It's like family. Our team is like family to them. They're like family to us. Um and that's just been tremendously rewarding I think for everyone. Um we have and as you you know we provided we

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have nine employees. Four of those uh are from Jersey City. Three are from the towns next door. Um no CRC violations or or anything like that. Um no ownership changes. Uh you know everything's been pretty straightforward. So I I I know

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way back when um you had indicated the company has a history of community involvement including programs for literacy, veterans, cancer patients and expungement support has some of that >> absolutely I mean all of those things in various ways and even as as recently one

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thing we do on every Memorial Day weekend, Veterans Day weekend, we do a half off for all veterans and active duty service for whatever the whole extended holiday weekends are. People come in from all over the state for that. Um and uh you know we we work with

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with all the different kinds of groups to help where we can. >> Thank you. And uh 98% of the ownership is still held by New Jersey residents. >> Yes. >> But the other 2% Colorado and Maryland. >> Yes. >> All right. Uh I see that there are there aren't there haven't been any complaints

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and your taxes are paid up to date. So back to you, Mr. Chairman. >> Are there any questions from the members? Uh, if not, I'll open up to the public. Any members of the public like to make a statement. Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion.

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>> Is there a motion? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. >> Who did that? >> Okay. Chris. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Abstension. So move. >> Congratulations.

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>> Thank you guys. >> This is lightning speed here. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Okay. Next one. CCB 2208 Jersey Leaf 554 Westside Avenue, Jersey City. >> Can I wait for Willie? He's on the way.

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>> Say again. >> Can I wait for my partner? He's on the way. >> Sure. >> Second call. >> Okay. Okay. Let's see. Which one do you want to do now? It starts getting tough. >> Let's see. I did have a note here. Hold

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on, Mr. Chairman, let's see what we got. >> We can do this one. This is straight out out of business. >> So, these were >> Yeah, >> I I only saw one. >> Well, I They got this one lifted. >> Yeah.

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>> Yeah. Really? Okay. CCB22-27, Lifted Vision, 481 Central Avenue. >> I sent I sent you an email. Um, Ron. >> Oh, they asked for an adjournment. >> They asked for an adjournment as well as um Tyson 2.0, also known as DECA, also

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known as Decades. They also requested an adjournment for the next available meeting. >> Okay. So, >> just so you guys know, those are the only two. But according to your memo, uh it almost sounded like they were out of business. Uh lifted uh vision.

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>> Well, um I can't recall exactly what I said in the email in the mail. >> I'll find it. >> Read it into the record, Mr. >> Oh, absolutely. The Division of Commerce conducted an administrative compliance review and found that the applicant is current on its annual licing fee and quarterly

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cannabis tax obligations with no outstanding balances owed to the city and the business was not yet open during portions of the review period. Uh certain quarterly taxes, right, were not applicable. Additionally, no complaints. However, despite multiple attempts, Commerce has not been able to reach this

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applicant for a renewal except for today, apparently. Right. Um, yeah. And then they did end up sending some kind of notification that they won't be able to be in until the next meeting. So, I believe that was on Wednesday. I've been out of the office since then, >> right? >> So, >> but they have not opened.

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>> I'm not saying that. I can't vouch for that. We haven't been able to send um like an inspector to go see what's going on. I was just having a hard time reaching them. And sometimes they say they don't see my emails right away. we

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having trouble with that also at our office. Maybe it's going to quarantine. I'm not sure. But >> but also >> they did reach out to and asked if they can come next meeting. >> But I also see from your report that they haven't paid the quarterly uh numbers. >> They have, right?

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>> No, they haven't paid. Well, they said they weren't open quarter 1, quarter two. >> Uh let me see. >> Wait a minute. They were paid October 8th, 2025, >> right? >> Right. So, they paid then and they paid the fourth quarter.

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>> That doesn't sound like a business that's closed, does it, Mr. Chairman? >> No. >> Perhaps um the board may be so inclined to give them a 30-day adjournment. Uh with the understanding that it's a mandatory appearance to next time to show up exactly, you know, what what's

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going on? Yeah, >> it's up to the board. >> There is a note that said the board may wish to consider directing inspectors to conduct a site visit to verify whether the business remains operational. Yeah, that's that's why I was thinking that they're not in business. >> I we >> So, why don't we

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>> Yeah, go ahead. I'm sorry. >> No, go ahead. Make your >> I was just going to say that at the My notes to you is always been It's always because of when I'm trying to reach them to get the renewal or get a status update, sometimes they are delayed and, you know, getting us back the

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information. But I will say um they I believe I noted it um that they I think they are up to date with their taxes, but I was still I couldn't get I just couldn't reach them >> in time and then they finally contacted me and said I guess maybe they were having issues I don't know but they did finally contact me and asked if they can

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adjourn and come at the July meeting. >> Okay. Well, first of all, I have a problem that any any application that has been approved by this board and that's open or not open, uh, if they do

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not respond to you to the officials what's going on, I got a problem with that. You know, that's, you know, that's not being considerate or abiding by the privilege of operating a store for cannabis in in Jersey City. So, that's a

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problem. And but it's up to the members of the board. Do we want to give them a 30-day uh leeway and come back to us? >> Is is it with even in our jurisdiction to send somebody there to see if the business is operational?

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>> Uh we we don't have that jurisdiction, but certainly the division of commerce does. >> The board doesn't have that that authority. >> Right. So, uh, if anybody want if they want to make a recommendation or a motion, I should say to allow them to

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come back in 30 days and ask the commerce department to send someone down there physically to see. Uh, I'll entertain that motion. >> I would make that motion. I move to get 30 on it. >> All right. Uh, the motion's been made. >> Is there a second? >> Yes. Okay.

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>> And, um, all in favor say I. >> I. I. I opposed abstensions. So moved. >> All right. So that was a 30-day adjournment and ask the division of commerce to send an inspector to see if they are closed. They must have been open otherwise it would never have paid

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any taxes. >> Yeah. Their last tax payment was I was April's t last quart. That was the last quarter. So their last they made the payment of their last quarter. So I'm not sure. >> All right. Next one.

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CCB 24-78 Glue Lagoon, 77 Forest Street. Uh, this one's a little more complicated. >> Do you want to hear them now? >> Here he comes. >> Okay. >> All right.

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>> Nice to see you again. How are you >> doing? Good. >> Most knowledgeable guy that I know about strains. So, >> yeah. >> Please raise your right hand. This affirm the testimony about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Help you God. Yes. >> Please uh state your name, spell your last name.

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>> Eli Terry. T E R R Y. >> What do you want to tell the board? You know, we left off. They gave you uh this adjournment to prove that you had a lease because when we well, when the Division of Commerce spoke to your landlord, they said there ain't no lease. >> So, um I talked to the family. They

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really just want us to get the deal done. Um I signed an MSA agreement with this company that opened up uh three cultivations in South Jersey. Um, so at the moment I'm really just trying to close the deal. Um, he hasn't leased out the property. That tip that you got, it

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was really there to try to destroy my relationship with him. That's why it's kind of been hard. Um, us going back and forth and stuff. Um, but literally just trying to get a deal done. I think it would be counterproductive for the board um for the applicant who is the closest

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cultivation to being open and who's got the furthest um application investigators literally at the tip of opening just need a little bit more time is >> what's your stumbling block? >> Um just closing on a deal for the buildout. Um everybody is in this time

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thing where people are waiting on Trump's agricultural laws to change. um and then just finalizing everything for the the end of this year. Um I had a investor who wanted to wait until the third quarter because he was unsure um what Trump was going to do. So it's for

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cultivation is just a weird time right now. And I think it would be like a big mistake to try to stop us when we're literally right here and we're so close compared to others who are trying to get in or are in. I think this is like we're going to be the first cultivation open

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and I truly believe that. So may I go? Okay. So for for the new board members and perhaps somewhat new board members, um this was one of the first cultivation >> applications. I know I I was very excited. I know Jeff was very excited. >> Oh, absolutely.

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>> Um and apparently Mr. had some, you know, financial difficulties. But, you know, unlike a dispensary, a class five retail dispensary where there are dozens and dozens and dozens and do he was the

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first cultivator to actually apply. He's and you weren't here for his testimony, but he's extraordinarily uh knowledgeable about the different strains and whatnot. And I was very excited. I, you know, hoped he would be very successful. It's a shame that he's

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here, but at some point, you know, the board is going to have to pull the plug, but I leave that up to the board. >> Well, let me ask you a question. Uh, realistically, I know that you're close and you've put a lot of time into it, money,

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at what point will you be able to come to us? Is it 30 days, 60 days? >> I'm need another 60 to 90 days to really close the deal. So, I have this MSA um with this company who've been closing these deals in South Jersey and they have some people who want to expand

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canopy space. So, we've been non-stop at it and hopefully within 60 to 90 days, we are have some paperwork for you and u have a new agreement with the landlord cuz we're really trying to uh extend the lease as well cuz that's another thing

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that it's kind of short. It ends at the end of this year, but we're trying to make it a 10 to 15 years as well. So, it's just negotiating and making sure all the paperwork is right and everybody is filling like um >> Do you still have to do once you have an agreement with landlord and everything's

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settled? You still have to build out. >> Yeah, build out and permits. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that's the last step and we're open. So, I think we're right there. Literally right there. just build out impermitments and is a very like >> if we give you the extension uh we would

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request you know uh I don't know by week uh by monthly uh you know uh information from you >> to the commerce department where you are if there's any problems and stuff. >> Yeah. And I'll be happy to update you along every process. Like I come to all

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of these meetings to make sure you guys exactly know what's going on. I have nothing to hide and I'm extremely confident in what I'm doing. So, >> right. Yeah. I remember when we approved your application, we were very excited because uh you know, cultivation is a

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very specialized part of the process and >> and he could supply all the retailers in German. >> That's right. Exactly. Um did I think did you have a lawsuit with the tenant with the landlord? >> So, we really just had agreement. and he this is a part of like bargaining like

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he's showed me that just to kind of scare me but then we had an agreement after that. So um it's just been a little bit of back and forth but he hasn't proceeded with anything. Um >> I thought the last time we were here we talked about a court proceeding that you had and he got possession of the of the

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premises. >> Um it wasn't a court we didn't go to court about it. We had a um on a side agreement on what we were going to be doing and he's been utilizing the property until the deal is done. >> Would he be willing to uh submit a

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letter to commerce stating that that you're still in negotiation and he still wants you there? >> I I need to correct the record, Mr. Chairman. So, we we've got an email that I made reference to, and forgive me, but it's dated January 29, 2026,

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and it it is from George uh forgive me with the last name. U the Access Group of Jersey City. Uh this is to confirm that Glue Lagoon does not currently lease a property >> and has not leased a property for the period referenced during our phone call. The former tenant was removed through

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the Hudson County Court system after failing to pay uh rent. It wasn't public proceeding. >> Yeah, right. I I'm reading >> He may not have showed up. That's as simple as that. >> I just want the board's >> Yeah. No, you you you're 100% accurate.

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>> The board's rooting for you. It's just that how long can they hang on? >> And the question is, can you get something in writing from the landlord opposed to this? You know, other than this that you still have control. >> Yeah. Um, >> do you have any other real estate that

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you have been looking on? There we go. >> Any other real estate you've been looking into? >> Yes. Um, it was a property that I was approved for prior that's kind of across the street that I was may looking back to go to, but I'm pretty set on this once the deal is done. He's he really

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just wants the deal to be done. That's why he he did a lot of the stuff. He just wants um the payments to start coming back and us to stop negotiating and all of that stuff. he just, you know, and at one point um prior to all

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of this, he was honestly going to um invest and I told the board about it um cuz they said he he had no communication with me, but he talked to me about possibly going and investing into this property and going raise everything. Um, I don't know what changed, but he's kind

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of he's just every day is something kind of new with >> you should look into more options on your real estate because it seems like you're having a hard time with him and the 90 days is actually like the board said, they're rooting for you, >> right? Uh, but just for the record, uh, if you go to another location, it's a

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brand new application, >> whole thing over. >> Okay. >> And the good news that there aren't a lot of cultivators chomping out the bid. I don't think we've maxed out at for cultivators. >> No, we haven't. In fact, I think one of them on um Harrison I think is not

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opening up. So um >> yeah, chairman, I I would agree with you if you could get something from the landlord just updating us to where things stand now. I understand that the that email references where things were before, but if you're telling us that things are changing, things are moving,

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things are fluid. If you can get something that cor that correlates what you're saying, >> you know, that gives us a lot of confidence then, >> okay, >> to move forward with that. >> If you have a problem with that, >> uh, and if you have another location, >> you know, in fact, if I were you, I

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would do both, you know, >> at the same time, you know, backup is always good because basically, you know, you know, Ron and I were the only two people here that heard your application. We were very, very supportive and we're looking forward to it. Uh it's a big

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lift for Jersey City to have a you know a really good cultivator here. Uh so how about this? You know we make a motion that in third you come back in 30 days. In that 30-day period uh either have the

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landlord come here or some kind of certified letter notorized that you know you have that deal or that you have a new location that you're starting the process with the other one. >> Okay. All right. All right. >> What kind of proof does he >> What kind of >> 50 days,

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>> ma'am? >> Okay. Hold on a second. Tell him you can't shout out. >> Do me a favor. You know, we're trying to keep this in order just like the council. >> Yeah. Look, I know you you show up there every day, so you know the rules.

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So, uh, >> what kind of evidence would the board want if you if Mr. Terry decides he's going to move to a different location? Well, we have to get a brand new application then. >> Uh, a lease. I mean, >> yeah, a lease. >> Just Okay. >> All right. >> Is 30 days enough for him to get a

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lease? No. Can he just have identified a property that he's in negotiation for or something? I think 30 days is enough to get a lease. >> Well, actually, realistic >> expectations. What? He already done the hard work. He already has the language for the lease. >> Yes, sir. >> But if he has to get a new location, not for the current one.

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>> Oh, no. That I don't disagree. I I think your testimony was that you were looking at a place across the street and you had have you had conversations with them? >> Yeah, I had conversations, but it wasn't a lease in place, though. It wasn't >> Okay. You also said he wasn't interested in that, so he'd probably have to look at something completely new.

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>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Right. So, how about this? Uh, come back in 30 days, give us an update where you stand with this location. have something notorized in writing by the present

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landlord that you're dealing with. Or if that doesn't go anywhere, get us another location and file an application to uh move it to the the new location. It's a brand new loc uh a brand new

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application at that point. >> Yeah. >> Uh >> so Mr. Terry, do do you understand that the chairman's indicating two things? either you're going to provide some type of evidence from the landlord that things are copacetic and and despite

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that January email, maybe there was a miscommunication, but he did in fact dispossess you in the Hudson County Superior Court um or a lease from another, you know, another property. Otherwise, that the board may be so inclined to recommend that the governing

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body um revoke uh your resolution of support. >> Right. And can I ask um if if it's too early, would I be able to submit a LOI if it was a new property until the lease is finalized >> that? Yeah, I'll that's acceptable as long I would also recommend if you have

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an LOI to ask the new landlord to come here and testify on your behalf. >> Okay, >> I'm sure he would. >> Yeah. >> Or she, you know, you know, whoever you're dealing with. Uh giving you the opportunity, you know. So,

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I if I were you, I would work both lanes at the same time >> because the the board previously gave you a 60-day adjournment. You were last here April 27th of this year >> and they gave you 60 days. So,

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>> so if that's my motion to the board that we give him 30 days to come back with either a uh signed lease for the present landlord or an LOI with uh a new

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landlord and that landlord comes to verify that at the next meeting. >> Do I have it correct? >> You do. Is there a second? >> Yeah, I'd second that. >> All right. Uh all in favor say I. >> Opposed. >> Motion.

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>> Good luck, ma'am. We're good luck for you. Y >> no public speaking on it. >> Uh it's an adjournment if there comes a point in time. >> You know something? If you talk, we may say no. >> You and Kitty Hall. >> Okay.

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>> Thank you. >> You're welcome. All right. So that's postponed 30 days. Okay. Uh, the next one, Tyson. I don't have anything on that. >> Um, we gave them a 30-day adjournment.

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Tyson, also known as Decades. Oh, sorry. I think Marqueas said they asked for an an adjournment. >> Oh, okay. >> All right. Okay. Uh, next. Um,

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glue uh Lagoon not here yet. >> We just did It's not that one. I mean the uh >> Jersey Leaf. >> Not here yet. Okay. Still on his way. Next one. Um >> Okay. Neon Heights is not being heard.

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Hold on one second. >> Forgive me, Mr. Chairman. Why is Neon Heights not being heard? >> I thought they asked for a post. Um Hold on. Are they here? I thought that your memo >> She may have said it. I may have missed it. We're a little confused.

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>> I know it gets confusing. So, what you're referencing is the last meeting. They asked for an adjournment, >> right? >> And I have not heard from them. >> Ah. Oh, that's right. Okay. >> So, they wanted to come to this meeting and I reached out a few times and tried

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to get the status update from her. I was in communication before, but all of a sudden it just stopped. So, I tried calling. I tried emailing a few times. And so I haven't heard from her >> unfortunately.

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>> Yeah. And and um just remind me are they have they paid their taxes? And >> they're not open. So not open. >> Yeah. This was just a status update, >> right? And we originally heard their application in 2022. >> December 12th of 2022 was the CCB

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approval. They received planning May 9th, 2023, and they received city council approval August 16th, 2023. >> Right. and and so you know I'll I'll open up for the board for um comments

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but it sounds to me that um they uh have been given a lot of opportunities and they've sat on it and the fact that they're not responding at a very important moment in their business venture to be here to advocate for

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themselves doesn't sound to me that they're serious enough to move forward >> and It makes no sense to have them, you know, on the agenda. So, uh, you know, >> go ahead. >> This would be a little different motion.

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This would be a motion to revoke the board's previous endorsement and recommend to the governing body that um they uh revoke any type of resolution of support that the governing body may have

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issued. that that's the type of resolution based on the fact that they're not here tonight. Um they they they got council approval August 16, 2023. You would have thought they ran to the state with their approval saying, "Hey,

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>> when's the last time they attended the meeting?" >> Um well, the CCB they got in 2022 they received our approval. Then there's the next step. I know you guys are new. So there's a the second step is planning which was um as I mentioned May 9th of

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23 and then they got their final approval from city council in August of 2023. Um since then I'm not sure if I sent the new um the new c uh commissioners the information about them. Would you like me to just read so that they have it? >> Please do. >> Um please.

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>> It says here the last formal written status update received from Neon Heights was dated May 21st, 2025. In that submission, the applicant advised that the project experienced substantial delays related to structural issues discovered within the building

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during demolition and construction preparation. The applicant indicated that repairs were being addressed by the landlord and that the business intended to continue moving forward with the project. On May 12th, 2026, the Division of Commerce spoke directly with the

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owner regarding the current status of the project. During that conversation, the owner advised the following. The business continues to experience ongoing landlord related issues involving structural conditions at the property. The owner stated that the structural and

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property related issues have been the primary reason the business has not progressed toward opening. The owner further advised that legal action against the landlord may become necessary if the issues are not resolved. The owner confirmed that they

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intend to appear before the cannabis control board at the meeting scheduled for May 18th. I think that was the date um 2026 to provide a more detailed update regarding the status. And right before that meeting, they had an emergency and asked to come to this

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meeting. And since then, I haven't heard from her. She hasn't given me any updates. I emailed requesting an update um and asking are they coming to the meeting and I haven't gotten a response. >> So that's

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>> so you know I'll open for comments you know you know but you know to me you if I wanted to open up a business and I knew I had to get government support I'd be here yesterday.

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So it doesn't sound like they they they're hoping for something and it's not there or they just wasting time. So you know what does everybody think? >> Move to revoke. >> Is that a motion? >> Yes.

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>> Second. >> Okay. Second. All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Opposed. >> Opposed. >> So move. >> I oppose. >> Are you opposed? Yes. Okay. I apologize. No problem. >> So vote is

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>> a a no vote because you don't want to revoke that particular applicant's uh endorsement. Got it. >> Got it. Okay. All right. You have that. >> I apologize. >> No problem. >> I'm doing well.

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>> Oh, no. No. Got to speak up real fast. Okay. Next. Uh All right. Um CCB23-63, the number spot 539 Martin Luther King

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Drive. Okay. All right. Good evening. If you'd be so kind as to raise your right hand. Do you swear affirm the testimony about give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth to help you God? >> Yes. >> All right. Please state your name and spell your last name. >> Naima Terry. Tas in Tom. E R R Y.

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>> All right. M Terry, what would you like to tell the board? I understand that you're uh changing your your project and that you're adding a mixed use with I guess residential on the top and your cannabis space on the bottom. Go ahead. >> Correct. um after so many dispensaries open

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throughout the state and um so many approvals, I think you have 50 approved in Jersey City already, it was a very expensive but strategic and legacy decision to pivot from building um what I was raising a million dollars for this

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grand cannabis retail and consumption space. Um I have now pivoted to building a fivestory building which will have eight apartments above the ground floor dispensary. Um, so it took about two years to get the approvals just for cannabis. So you can imagine uh the the

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wait time to get approvals to knock my current building down to build a five-story building. Um, on top of that, uh, since I decided to do this pivot, I wanted to maximize the space uh, on my land and I am now in the process of amending the Jackson Hill redevelopment

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plan, which I just got approved by the planning board um, last month and it actually goes before city council on Wednesday for the first reading. Second reading will be at the the next meeting. But essentially with re um, amending this redevelopment plan, I'll be able to

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build up my five stories. As of right, I can build four stories, but it was important to a smaller project like mine. You know, I'm not downtown. We can't have 30 stories. So, an additional floor, having two additional apartments makes the world of a difference in construction financing and making this

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deal a fundable deal. Um, so I am spending a lot of time. I've I've had to hire planners. I've had to, you know, go before planning board to amend this. I've had um letters of support from my councilman Gilmore, from D from Denise Ridley. Um, and essentially the community, I've had to have several

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community meetings to amend this um, redevelopment plan. But I do have a lot of support throughout my ward and throughout the city to amend this plan. And um, it was it's the step before going back to planning board with my new plans, which I do have. And I'm so sorry I didn't get to print out enough for

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everybody, but I will pass the single ones around to everyone. Um, but essentially just with so many uh, being opened. >> Oh, thank you. >> Sure. Yeah, that was the previous and then that's the new plans. >> So, right now I just um I want to just get everything right. So, now there's an

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existing building that you originally got approval for the cannabis store. >> Correct. >> A singlestory building. >> Twotory. >> Two story and here. >> Okay. Uh you got approvals from the planning board to upzone. No, you couldn't have got it because you're waiting for the redevelopment plan. Yes.

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To be >> Yes. So, >> next the next meeting the Jersey uh council will have its first reading. >> Correct. To amend the redevelopment plan. >> Right. And then uh they have to go back

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for the second meeting to approve it and then it's 45 days for any public to object to it. >> Correct. and otherwise it becomes legal and at that point >> then I can submit for my site plans. >> Okay. And

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>> and then basically at that point once you go for your building permits and everything else it's you said a fivetory building. >> Correct. >> So that's probably a 18-month buildout. >> Correct. >> Uh all right. So we're talking about at

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this point that would be one, two, three about 20 >> 28, right? Okay. >> First quarter 2028 at this point. I know it's it's believe me, it's been an expensive pivot and a very long pivot,

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but it's um a family property that I got from my grandfather and I'm thinking about the maximum use for this space. I'm from Jersey City, born and raised. I got this property from my grandfather and I'm so happy that I got the cannabis license, but it's just not the only thing that I can do with my property and

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I do have plenty of city of support and um this is just the best for for my legacy and I do ask that you guys be patient with me. I do have um a email as well for my investigator that has been assigned because I have um con I do have the approval to convert to annual and

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essentially my my my license is still current with the state and essentially um I'll just read it out. She says >> this is for uh right for from the state to allow you to move forward on doing this. >> So yes, this is from my investigator Sabrina is she says, "Hello. Hope all is

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well. Same with you. I double check to make sure no other information is needed from you for an extension and an answer and that answer is no. Just keep me advised on your status so I can keep your file updated. The only areas where you may experience issues are with your town. If they are fine with everything,

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the CRC is good as well. I'm looking forward to working with you soon. So essentially, I've explained um the entire process that I'm going through. I've also received um a cannabis seat equity grant from NJA. So I've just updated everybody. um there was an a

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grant available for cannabis retailers throughout the state. So I was a recipient of that award. So I pretty much have just been keeping every agency that has been working with me in the loop of that I have decided to pivot and build up and um essentially the CRC is

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saying they will keep extending as long as Jersey City is okay with me extending out this long. >> So just I just wanted to question uh and then I'll let you answer. Um, should you move forward and the board gives you the ability to move forward,

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we're talking about 2, three years. Uh, at this point in time, do you have the funding to build? >> Yes. So, that's another reason why I I spent the time to amend the redevelopment plan because the numbers weren't quite penciling out with only having four apartments above the dispensary. It's really hard to do

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midsize projects like this. So getting those two additional apartments made my deal a fundable deal. So my construction financing will completely cover my buildout of the apartments and the dispensary. And then I do um have anou with my investor. Um her name is Hope

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Wiseman. She's a c she's the youngest black woman to own a dispensary in the country. She's based out of Maryland. She has a manufacturing here in New Jersey. I do have theou. um she will be my chief operating officer and as well as an investor which will carry my

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working capital, my you know that type of stuff. But for me, me building out the building, I'm covering that part of my buildout and my working capital is coming from my investor who's also going to be my COO. >> And she's uh what percentage you're going to still be the majority percentage of how much?

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>> She's going to have 20%. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, as of now, because it's just theou I am still 100% owner of this business. >> Right. Right. Um, >> I have a question. Go ahead. >> Please do. Right into right into the mic. Sorry. >> And just press the button. >> Yeah. Is there any I don't know

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provision in Jersey City, I'm sorry, I'm new, that says about um under 18 being in uh proximity to a dispensary and does that have any effect on her ability to rent to like families? >> No.

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>> No. There's no there's no restriction. You can't be within 200 feet of a school. >> Yeah. Okay. >> But you can't, you know, u >> but not residential. >> Not residential because otherwise, you know, if you had a dispensary, you can't

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rent to a family and housing is extremely limited. Right. Right. >> And I will also state that since I am amending the redevelopment plan, essentially I'm getting a density bonus. I um have to and more than willing to do affordable housing. So I'm required to do one. Um, but I will do as many as I

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can get funded. I do have another um affordable housing project that I'm developing in Norc that I've it's a 100% affordable condominium building that I have fully that I've um gotten fully funded by the state. So, it is um something that I'm looking forward to doing with this property. If I can get

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it fully funded to do affordable, that is my goal. But I do have to do at least one affordable at this project. >> So, I have a legal question. >> Yes. >> Uh >> maybe I have an answer. >> I would hope so. you know, uh, the location is still there. The

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building is being taken down and a new building going up. >> Is the approval that we did, does that transfer to the new building or is that a new >> Yeah. No, I I I would say it's the same use

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>> at the same address. >> At the same address, there are stumbling blocks. We're finding that the city council is not enamored with cannabis businesses right smack in the middle of residential housing. This board approved something and the uh governing body

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decided to not issue a resolution of support. So, you've got some hurdles. I'm not saying which way the board is going to vote, but there will be obviously units above this cannabis retail store. And the technology's gotten wonderful there. you know, there

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probably won't be any odors, but I know you indicated a consumption lounge in the old application. Uh, I know that the city council and even this board was not enamored with having consumption lounges when residents are a stones throw away from that consumption lounge. Having

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said that, it's up to the board. Second, the uh license that you have with the state is a conditional license, which I don't I don't mean any disrespect. You can get a conditional license on a napkin practically. Her hard part is

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when she converts it to a final application, which sounds like you will be able to do. >> Well, I've already converted. Um that part is approved. Now, that's how you get an investigator assigned. It just doesn't have the final annual um stamp on it yet. So, I'm already kind of past

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the condition. It's a it's a conditional to conversion license is where we're at. Um so, it's not just uh it's not just a conditional at this point. >> So, this was says conditional and it's expires October 12th, 2026. So, I take your word for it that you know you've

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you've you've passed the the conditional stage and you've got an investigator and etc etc. But, uh >> back to the board. Have Have you talked to the surrounding neighborhood? I know that you talked to the uh the head of uh the redevelopment

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uh committee there on on the block, the Jackson uh committee. Um my question is, do you foresee anybody coming up and opposing you? >> No. I've had several conversations with the community throughout this whole

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process. in my initial cannabis um application. >> 40 supporters showed up, right? >> You remember that? I remember that. And then the second you didn't see me, >> right? Oh, absolutely. >> The second floor was supposed to be dedicated to community impact uh activities including expungement

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clinics, workforce development, senior education, and legacy planning. But we understand the argument. The money's not there. >> Right. >> Yeah. And now I'm I'm I mean I'm still at the heart a community developer and a real estate developer. So, it still would be a good impact on the community. I think the community will take some

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affordable housing over a community room in my building at this point. >> I I don't disagree with that. Um I'll open it up for our discussion. Uh um unless do we have any other questions? >> I have a question. >> So, you own the real estate,

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>> correct? >> That's great. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. What I was going to say is even if she demolishes the building, the block and lot is the same, right? So, I would >> No, that doesn't change, >> right? Yeah. Yeah, I just wanted to make sure that that should be one less stumbling block then. >> No, I that I don't disagree. I I just wanted to make sure that uh one building

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goes down, one goes up, the application still remains. >> Right. >> Right. Uh if we decide to give you that option, we would expect you to uh constantly inform staff here every bit

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of the way way how you're moving and uh when you start your construction, come back to us. >> Absolutely. And >> have you been in front of the planning board yet with with this? No. >> With the old application and I've been approved by the planning board already to amend the redevelopment plan. So

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they've already seen my plans. I just have to once it's once the amendment gets um >> it has to be approved by the council. >> Once it gets approved by city council, then they can I can submit my site plan application. >> Well, and quite frankly, the hard part is getting it to the council once it's it's a guaranteed pass once you do.

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>> Oh, well, the the city council I had to go to city council first because it's essentially amending the redevelopment plan has to come from planning board. So, they directed planning board to open up a study. It's it's a lot. It's been about 9 months of me getting this um redevelopment plan approved just so I

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can get this extra floor for two additional apartments. But it also has a greater city benefit cuz I essentially changed the transit density for the light rail. So actually right here. So essentially um buildings within 1,000 ft

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of the light rail can get two additional stories. I changed that now to extend up to 1750 ft. So we'll essentially go from here to Communal and from here to about Wilkerson. Now everybody along this corridor can get two additional floors if they redevelop their property.

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>> That's great. First of all, impro it improves the uh value of the property there and more housing. Um >> and very impressive to actually undertake an amendment of a redevelopment plan that is not for the faint of heart. >> It's the first time it's been amended essentially since inception except to

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get the Dunkin Donuts here for the curb cut. >> Yeah. Oh yeah. Uh yeah, I served on the planning board when this came up the first time. >> I'll probably have to abstain because I'm on it now. >> Okay. >> I thought I read this, so I'm going to abstain when we do a vote.

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>> Agreed. >> Okay. >> Yeah. No, you have to. >> Uh I think it's, you know, I like the idea. >> I know it's a long time I'm asking for, but I hope you can see my dedication to Jersey City and that I'm going to be here. >> You're meticulous. I like that. as long

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as the state is backing you that they'll let that license uh stay active, not the license, but the conditional license to stay active. >> I don't see a problem. So, >> I don't either. You have a clear path forward here. >> Thank you. >> And and you've you've planned it out

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very very well. I I just want to make it clear that you're still going to need a resolution of support from the because this is very different than the resolution of support that you got from the city council on April 24th, 2024, >> right? >> Well, for cannabis. >> Yeah.

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>> For cannabis. April 24th, 2024. They gave you a resolution of support. It has not expired, but this is a very different setup than that that first resolution of support. So, I'm going to put that in if the board is so inclined

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to continue to support you. I'm going to indicate that you need to go to the city council and let them know what's what's happening with your cannabis business. >> Yeah. Well, the most of the old city council people were aware. Councilman Gilmore is definitely on my side and and Denise, I haven't gotten to know the new

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um city council people yet, but believe me, I will I will be meeting with all of them to let them know. >> No doubt. >> Excuse would you I'm sorry. Would you how are you? Would you agree with me that uh if the board is so inclined to continue uh the support uh for this

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applicant that the applicant would have to go for a new resolution of support before the city council because this is a very different application? Um she's >> the application has changed. Yes. Okay. >> Well, what's changed about the about the cannabis

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>> res above? Right. Okay. >> Right. And you're not >> you're not doing a consumption lounge anymore, right? >> I I can scratch that out if it's going to be an issue. Um, but you have to be operating to even apply for consumption anyway. So, >> my advice to you is scratch the uh uh

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consumption aspect and do more apartments because uh >> you might wind up having people, you know, complaining. So, make it easier. >> Um, >> so, uh, Mr. Chairman, any type of motion

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to continue the support and endorsement of this applicant would have to go with the condition that uh she must apply to the city council for a new resolution of support. >> Right. Would that come from my opinion? Would that come from us or would it come from her? >> It it's going into the resolution and then Maynard will take it from there.

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>> Then we'll reintroduce it. >> Okay. >> All right. Uh is there any public comment on this application? Is there any discussion among the board? I got a question with the resolution if we already Nothing

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changed the address nothing changed right to your understanding it's the same address >> correct u this new councilman's go everybody agreed in the past they agreed on your resolution right >> correct >> so now if she goes with the council and they deny her

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>> that's the end of it >> she's done she's done >> I have a question now the question is it's the same address the same applicant same person. What has changed? If let's say the the new council person for some strange reason dislikes it.

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>> It's not the council. It's the fact that she's changing the the >> Put it on the mic. >> She's changing the structure. I'm >> talking to the mic so we have a record. >> She she'd be changing the structure. That's the problem. It's not a matter of council people or not. It's the application was passed with this structure here and she changes the

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structure. That's what would have to be approved. I It's not going to be a problem, but it has to be redone, >> right? And and quite frankly, uh, the council actually has to vote to amend the redevelopment plan. That's the real issue here. >> Well, that's already happening on

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Tuesday. >> Well, not you have a first reading. Yeah. >> Then the second reading, correct? And then people have the right to sue the city in court to deny that approval. And that's 45 days after that period, after

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the resolution. Uh, >> but all of that has nothing to do with cannabis. >> Yeah. I it seems like she's ready to run that gauntlet, >> but we we just have to say, >> do we support her in running that gauntlet? She knows what she has to do. She's doing all the steps. It's us giving her the time

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>> with the cannabis piece. >> And if she needs to pivot again, it sounds like she'll do so with her property, but we need to give her the time to do so, and that's all she's asking of us. >> Right. Correct. And the hardest part about this is getting the council to

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vote for it. after that it's an as of right use >> and and this is a little bit different than the other applications that have asked just for more time hence I'm putting in the resolution a requirement that she got to let the council city city council know

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>> I'm going to guess that the the CCB still endorses her still wants to continue with the support but she's got to let and perhaps the city council is well aware but she's got to make sure that the city council understands this is a new resolution of support because there's going to be seven apartments

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above my cannabis store. >> Eight. >> Thank you. >> And strong support from CCB. >> You stay here pretty long. It'll be up to 10. >> Some of the others just it was a a motion that 30 days. We'll see you later. This is I'm drafting a >> No, this is different. Right. >> Okay.

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>> Right. Uh like I said, the hardest part about this is the council. Once you get past that, it's home free. Uh and the resolution will also state that you have to keep us or I should say uh keep commerce uh informed every bit of the

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way. >> She tired of me already. I call her all the time. >> Okay. All right. Okay. So, there was no public comment. We've had our own questions on this. Uh I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion. >> Is there a second? >> Second.

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>> Okay. Um all in favor say I. I I >> opposed. Abstensions. So move. >> I wish you all the luck. >> There's an abstension here. >> Oh. Oh. Oh, excuse me. Chairman. Yep. Gotcha. >> Right. Statension. >> Okay. >> Motion carries. Uh we'll get the

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resolution done. Uh it'll be ready to go and then you're off to the city council. >> Thank you so much. Okay. Congratulations. >> Okay. Um VT420 asked for Oh, wait a minute. Okay.

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Uh CCB23-57 VT420 LLC 840 Communore Avenue, Jersey City. >> Okay. >> Good evening, gentlemen. Who's going to be uh testifying? Thank you. Please raise your right hand. You swear for testimony about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

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So I help you God. So >> you can have a seat. Please state your name. Spell your last name. >> My name is Michael Van. Van. >> All right. uh what would you like to tell the board uh about this status? >> Okay, so thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak today. I'm here to

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give a brief update on our cannabis business application and where we are in the process. As of May 20th, 2026, we have just received our certificate of occupancy, which was a very important step for us. We are currently waiting for the final walkthrough from the state and are also finishing our internal

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procedures, standard operating SOPs, uh compliance documents, software setup and security system. And once those items are finalized, we will submit for a final inspection uh from the state field moni uh monitor investigator. >> Right. And if I remember correctly uh

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from reading, you expect to be open in July or August. >> Yes. Once we re once we receive the final inspection, uh which should take, I believe, 1 to 3 weeks for them to get back to us. We are ready to open after that. >> Okay. Any questions?

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So, we don't even need a I'm not going to be drafting a resolution on this, but but we we would need a vote to continue the support and then all you need to do is cut Mayor to check when you're ready to go and you'll get your license. >> Yes. >> Right. Um, is there any >> not personally? This is

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>> Yeah. Yeah. For commerce. For commerce. >> Is there any public comment? None seen. Is there a motion? >> I'll move to continue. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. abstensions. So moved. Congratulations. Good luck.

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>> Thank you guys. >> Okay, let's see. Uh CCB 2481, Candid Dispensary, uh 3662 JFK Boulevard.

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>> All right. Good evening. Make yourself comfortable. Uh, please raise your right hand when you're ready. Do swear affirm the testimony about to give you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So, I help you God. >> I do. >> You can put your hand down. Uh, state your name and spell your last name. >> Elizabeth Saraphim. My last name is S A

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R. >> Elizabeth Saraphim. My last name is S A R O F I E M. >> Okay. What would you like to tell the board about u a status update? Um, as of June

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18th, we received approval on our CO, so we're just now waiting for a final signature. Build is done. Um, we expect to be open by August 1st. That's our timeline. Um, there have no been been no changes to any ownership or anything

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like that. I still remain the sole owner. >> Um, the only change is that I actually bought the building. >> So, property owner as well. So, um I know you guys asked for a notorized letter from the landlord, but that would be me now. So, >> okay. >> Um

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>> notoriize it yourself. >> Thanks. Um that's really it. I mean, I don't have any further updates. I just hope to be open by August 1st. >> Okay. >> Similar situation, Mr. Chairman, that uh not much for us to do. There won't be a resolution, but a vote to continue the

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support. And again, once she's up and running and she uh signs a check to the Division of Commerce, she gets her local license. >> Right. And I forgot when did we hear the case? Was it 22 or 23? I forgot. >> It was It was 24. >> 24. Oh, it was off.

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>> Uh October 28th, 2024. >> Oh, okay. You're one of the new ones. >> I'm trying my best. No, I did have another location. I had to come back to you guys. So, you guys did see me in 22 and then I had to start over. >> Okay. Uh >> stay at it. Is there any questions by

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the board members? No. >> Uh there any public comments? None seen. Uh I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. Extension. So moved. >> Thank you.

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>> Congratulations. >> Okay. Um Kind Buds jersey. I uh I have question marks. I forgot what I Are they here? >> I am. Oh, okay.

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All right. What do I have here for that? >> All right. Good evening, sir. Would you please raise your right hand and square affirm the testimony about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. How you got? >> I do. Good evening. >> Stand down. Please state your name and spell your last name. >> My name is Michael Daniel. D an ell.

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>> All right. Uh, Michael, what would you like to tell the board about this? >> Um, I'm sorry. So, as of uh last month, I've been finally able to submit my uh state application for my annual. Um I've had a very long and uh sometimes hopeless

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journey. Um I've had many, many delays at every step of the way, but uh I can finally say I've submitted my uh my state application. >> You were before us on uh August 14th, 2023 and November 13th, 2023.

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>> All right. Um >> what else you want to tell us? Uh >> I mean you I can enlighten you guys on the whole journey that I had uh getting here. Uh it's very long. Uh but you guys do have new board members. Um and it's just it's just funny how life's a little

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bit of a marathon because um when I first came here on August 14th, 2023, uh the first thing I was told was no. And the reason why I was told no was because there was somebody down the street who you guys just voted to revoke their uh

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resolution. And um I was asked and I was the only one that was asked to speak to the Hilltop Community Group. And I did. And that was a little bit of a journey too because really really hard to get a in contact with them. And um I got their support and they also told me I was the

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only one that um spoke to them that educated them on the process and I got their approval. Um, then I got caught in like a weird time where there was um where Jersey City was uh thinking of taking away the planning and zoning

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approval where >> uh it was going to go straight to the um to the council. So, I got caught there waiting for that and then it turned out that uh it wasn't taken away. So then I finally did have to um go to uh planning and zoning and that was another journey

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because uh twice that I went there they had a lack of quorum and uh it sucked because I had to play I had to pay for my lawyer I had to pay for my architect twice and then because it took so long I had to then uh give notice again. So it's been a lot of money that I've spent and uh I've also been paying rent there

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for 4 years. Um I went the reverse route you know so there's some people that did conditionals without having a place. I went and got my place first. Um, so I did that and I just been I've been there paying rent trying to get this open. Um, and then when I finally thought I was

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going to get my um my council approval, there was a mistake on the councilman's part and he said he had no idea who I was that I never spoke to him. And it's funny because his daughter was the one that sent the letter from the Hilltop Community Group. So that delayed me.

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>> Mr. you repeat that last part, please. >> So, I was asked to at the cannabis ward asked me to speak to the Hilltop Community Group um to see if they were okay with me opening there because there were already other dispensaries. So, the councilman of that ward, his daughter is

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the I believe vice president. So, she was the one that sent the letter to the cannabis board saying that they were okay that I did meet with them. And um when it came down to my council vote, the councilman goes and says that he has

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no idea who I was. Um which then made the other council members vote no. Then there was a really long journey about 4 months of trying to get back on the council because this was unheard of. like nobody's ever done it. And they were telling me I had no it was nothing I can do and I had to keep

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calling and making a lot of calls and emails and um I finally got on I finally got back on the council the council agenda and uh I got my vote I got my vote as I should have but that cost me 4 months of rent and it also cost me about

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a $5,000 attorney bill. So like all this money that I've dumped into this trying to get this open has it's I've I've lost a lot of money but I'm still here. I'm still trying to open. Um I also do own I've I've owned three other businesses. I'm about to open another business in

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Jersey City in two weeks. Um so I'm here. I'm still trying. I asked the board to just give me a little bit more time as I wait for my state approval, my annual. >> Okay. Uh is that the only thing holding up? Construction's done and everything. >> Uh no. So the thing is I didn't want to

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do construction as I could be this whole through this whole time because it's always been in limbo. It's always been I might not get it. So why do the construction if when I came to the candidates board there was a chance I wasn't even going to get it. Then when I went to when I was told at the at the council level that there was nothing

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they can do and that I couldn't get it. So that's why but in incorporated into my lease is I do have free rent when I do start building out. >> Okay. Uh question um estimate because I understand nothing is

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finite when it comes to dates. uh give us an outline what you think you'll get your approval from the state and then build out time before you can come back to us and say that you're open. >> So I did my application for the state last month about 4 weeks ago. They say the the current timeline is 8 to 12

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weeks. Um if I'm being aggressive I say I think I could open with no delays. I I would say December or January. Um, the special thing about where how I'm trying to build out, I don't have anything structural to do in my in my place. And it's funny because um I've

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always said that it's almost built out >> um the place almost built out like for a dispensary. It's weird when you first come in it it's already like blocked off where like you could get checked in and then it would be the the area to shop. And then in the back there's a room that

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used to be it's like a cement room that would be for storage. which is like a it used to it used to be an attorney's office but before that it was a flower shop so it's weirdly built out almost like I don't I I don't have to do anything structural >> okay >> I think my build out would be about two to three months >> so basically you're looking for

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>> a year basically maybe January >> January is >> 2027 >> correct >> all right any questions questions >> just very quickly with your hilltop meeting was it discussed just the proximity to Dickinson High School, the

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close proximity. >> No, it was just the fact that there were other there were other um applications at that time that were on the same block and they didn't like the fact that there was too many on top of each other. And um my whole thing from the beginning was

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we just don't know what's going to happen. And it's proven today. It's funny because today we can clearly prove that as 535 was denied and that was the main reason why I was told no. And here we are. I'm still fighting for this.

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>> You don't got to fight, man. You don't have to fight. You just got to keep doing what you have to do. >> Thank you. >> And the councilman was never very proactive for the ward. Uh >> yeah. Is there any member of the public

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would like to speak? Seeing none, I'll discuss this or we can go right to a motion. There's no discussion. Is I entertain a motion? >> Is there a motion? >> Yes. >> Please state it.

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>> Motion to approve. >> Okay. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Nope. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Just do us a favor. >> Yes.

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>> Keep the as you're moving forward in Maria, >> right? >> Thank you. >> Okay. Okay. Next. Let's see. Well, that was um >> close to Dickson. >> Okay. Okay. >> Uh that's kind bud.

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>> Okay. Jordan Avenue is next, right? >> Yes. Maris. >> Yeah. CCB 2377 Maris, New Jersey for Jordan Avenue, Jersey City. >> Come on up. Make yourself comfortable. >> Please raise your right hand. Mr. Affirm

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the testimony you're about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth to help you go. >> Yes. >> All right. Please state your name and spell your last name. >> Arson Bashan. ATB A S Y A N. >> All right. So, you were last here May 28th, 2024. Why don't you give the board an update

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as to what's going on? >> Sure. So, uh about a month ago, we got our uh CRC approval and uh we finally start our construction. So, we're in the process of going through our post-licicensing, you know, obligations, building out the space, going through the motions, and um it's going to

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probably take us another month or two months to get it completed, and that's where we are. >> So, your your construction will be done in two months, three months. >> We think by September, maybe sometime August possibly. It's moving along pretty quick. >> Okay. Uh

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that's it. >> That's it. >> There any questions? Okay. Anybody from the public like to speak? Seeing none, uh is there a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Okay. Uh timeline on the motion. Would

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you please add that uh uh August or September? You're confident? >> We're thinking that. Yeah. About that >> and August to come back to the board. Motion to approve with the condition that the applicant returns back in August >> or if he's up and running before that

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and he has paid the division of commerce, he need not appear. >> We're looking forward to it. We just want to start it already. It's been a long time on this. >> Is there a second? >> We'll second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. Abstension. So moved. >> Thank you.

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>> Okay. Uh CCB 23-67 Vox Farms, 80 Harrison Avenue. They're not opening. Correct. >> Yeah, this one was easy. Uh they sent in a letter indicating that they were withdrawing uh their application due to

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financial uh concerns. And I did in fact uh circulate a resolution, the endorsement revocation uh for Vox Farms. >> Okay. So all we need at this stage is a motion to uh not approve and

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uh >> so a motion to essentially revoke the previous endorsement that the CCB gave to this applicant and I spelled out why they they indicated that they wanted to uh withdraw their application. So yeah,

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I'll take a motion followed by a second. >> So move a second. Okay. >> All in favor say I. I >> opposed. Abstension. So moved. >> Okay, let's see. Next one. CCB23-61

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art 440 comp company 669 Bergen Avenue, Jersey City. >> How are you? >> Present. >> Good evening. >> Who's going to be testifying? >> I am. And the owner of the building will be as well.

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>> All right. So, How are you this evening? >> Let's get both of you to raise your right hand. This affirm the testimony about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Help you God. >> Yes, >> I do. >> Okay, we'll start with you. Just your name and spell your last name, then we'll get off to

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>> Anna R. Tolantino. T O L E N T I N O owner of >> your doctor. >> Okay. Ernesto Tolantino. >> All right. What would you like to tell the board? So I just very simply and very similar to one of the applicants

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just that left. I've had many delays, costly litigation. I was approved by the judge in or the court I would say in June of last year. I was told by the law department they were going to appeal it.

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They never appealed it. So I had to wait for that. I've been in constant probably battle since 2023 with the city. Luckily, I had the finances to pursue the matter cuz I thought that I was

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wrongfully denied. I received my state approval initially in 2022, which I just recently I had to go back to the state and I had four extensions and they just approved me again June 4th. So

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throughout this costly delayed situation, I um could not proceed because I never knew what the outcome was going to be. So I could not proceed with the permits and everything else that you require,

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which I was ready to do, but could just it just wouldn't have made sense if I didn't know what the final outcome was going to be. I have the timelines, but I don't need to go through it because you all have all of the information. It's new people here now, but there's some people that were here before. And

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so, you know what I've been dealing with since 2022. Um, so we're probably looking at the end of this year going into the next year so I can get everything finalized to move forward.

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But I've hung in there since 2022 with trying to proceed with this uh dispensary. And I don't want to belabor the point anymore. The owner of the building, who is my father, um could let

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you know exactly any questions regarding the building procedures, but and that building has been occupied and ready to go. That real t real tail space has been um vacant for some time waiting on what

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was going to go on with the litigation. I don't really have anything further to say that that we've been diligent and um >> I'll educate the board very quickly. >> Uh so this applicant came before the board May 8th, 2023, June 12th, 2023,

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July 10th, 2023, August 14th, 2023. Uh it's a fairly extensive single space uh resolution as to and I think only Jeff was the only member at the time there but the board decided for whatever reason that they could not support uh

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this applicant and the city council agreed with the CCB that um they could not support this applicant and u it is your right uh this ran into court on a prerogative writer had reversed that and indicated ated

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that uh that the resolution of support should be granted to this applicant. Um I don't have a copy of the decision, but I know you're a lawyer. >> I do. I have a copy of it. >> What was Judge Teroula's ruling that >> that they overruled the uh cannabis?

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Yeah. Decision. >> Yeah. And then I went before city council >> and then that was in October of last year and they approved or gave >> you do a resolution. >> Yes, they is. Yes, I have it. >> Okay.

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>> And then I had to go back to the state to be reissued a license that I had from the beginning from 2022. But I have the resolution here. So I have uh I have the state that was issued just on June 4th.

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I have the resolution from city council. I have judge Terulo's. >> Why are we hearing it? I I interrupt just for a legal interpretation. Why do we If the council is the final one, we re make the recommendation. The council either votes it yes or no. They voted

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no. It was challenged in court. Then it went back to the council and they voted for it. Why are we hearing it? >> Uh just like the other applications with the legal twist, you're basically here to ask when are you going to open, >> right? We resolution indicating further >> one clarification. I don't recall ever

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being denied from city council. It once I was denied from the board, it never went to city council. I had to go to the court first and when Judge Terulo overruled the board, then I was able to get before city council. So, it's not as

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if city council ever denied me. Here's the resolution from October where I was approved. Um, which took some time because the law department said they were going to appeal it and they never did. >> So, the only issue is when are you going to open?

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>> Here we here. He is. >> The doctor's going to take it from here. >> Well, I think I have to give you a little history as well. Um, I am the owner of 669 Bergen Avenue. I'm

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the landlord and uh I built a building there that deals with 40 units and I started that building back in 2023. Uh at that particular time, the

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commercial area was initially set up to be had by way of my daughter. During the period of time, however, because of all the delays that were done via the city along the way, that

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prevented this from happening. after the construction was completed and it was completed last year in 2025 and asking her about where she sat and what she could do. She had spent so much

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money being involved in this particular thing and legal expenses and everything else that she could not afford at that particular time to enter directly into a lease agreement and pay that particular

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rent because she didn't know whether or not it was going to go through that application or when it was going to go through. So this year bringing us up to date this year when she had to or actually last year

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when she had to file to CRC again recognizing she had a a application that was approved by CRC all the way back in 2022. She had to therefore reapply

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to them in order to be cleared. That clearance just occurred at the beginning of this month. Now that means that in anyone that knows anything about construction that's sitting here know

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when you do construction and you have a construction loan and uh you complete the construction then at some particular time you're going to look for permanent financing. When you go to go to permanent financing, they ask for

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specific things to be done. One of those that your building be 90% occupied before they really considered a value point. And number two, they asked for what about your lease of your commercial space.

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They then asked that we have to now put that up for leasing. And we certainly did that. We had a few particular applicants but in in searching them and

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each one of them they didn't come up as being satisfactory for the location. That brings us up to today's date. We did have a most recent one that could

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not come in immediately to lease the place, but was had an arrangement with us that we may give him a complete consideration. Once I found out that she was now going or

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had now a a uh confirmation, then I indicated to that particular gentleman that that place could not go to the other particular party and would

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be leased directly to my daughter. And that's where we are now. I would tell you that the whole place has to be have a fit out. All of that work could have been done when I was constructing the building,

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but because she didn't get the approval, we could not do it because we didn't know what the last result was going to be at the time. So now we're here to say yes, she can get that lease

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and it should go into effect probably in July of this particular year. She will have to now go back in and do all the preliminary things she needs to do in order to continue so that we can

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virtually open. and that you can't do. You have to get the permits. You have to do all the other things that goes along with this. So, that takes x amount of months to be able to do and to be ready to open and the inspections and

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everything else that needs to be done. So, if there's any question, please ask. >> Yeah. Um, so first of all, when did the council vote in favor? resolution >> was October 20.

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>> I have it right here. October >> 20 25. >> Yes. >> Yes. 2025. >> Okay. Okay. That's And the second question is understanding everything takes time. Uh when do you project opening at you know

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roughly >> I'm you know basically fitting the place out final walk through from the state and all that >> basically basically in asking for permits everybody knows you have to go back

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>> to all the particular divisions you have to go to zoning you have to go to historical you have to no not historical I'm sorry we don't have to do that anymore that was done with the building. We'd have to go go back to all those entities to to get and give a

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description and a layout of that piece of property in the commercial area. After that's done, then we have to do the work and I'm going to help it get that work done because and we'll work out something differently.

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>> So, a year, >> huh? >> About a year. Well, I would say >> I would I would say would go up to them except that the CRC in getting her second one has indicated she'd have to ask for an

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extension again cuz she had extensions that she had to do. >> I had four extensions from the state from the prior one and then finally they couldn't extend it any further. >> So you have to reapply brand new. >> No, no, no. I have my state approved.

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Okay. as of June 4th again. But if I and it expires, I sent a copy. You all had that. It expires in November. >> Okay. >> So in November, prior 30 days prior to November, I would have to ask for an extension, but I had this first >> right

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>> in 2022 and they gave me four extensions while I was involved with the litigation and >> all the other issues. So, >> right, >> I have it again as of June 4th. I have the state approval. >> The CRC. >> Okay. Uh

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>> so a motion to endorse this applicant. You have no choice. >> Right. Right. So they don't have to go back to the council. We're just >> That's right. Yeah. We're >> It's the same thing. Soon as she's open, she cuts a check to the Division of Commerce. Right. >> And that's it.

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>> Okay. Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Uh do we want her to come back for updates? Well, >> I'm glad to come back. I've been here so much as not >> Please come back.

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>> I have I don't have a problem with coming back. >> You'll be delighted. >> Hold on. Could you just put that on the record, man? >> We actually have to do status updates every quarter. So, it might be a good idea if she comes back in six months just so we know exactly what's happening. Just so we can notify the council. Yes.

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>> Okay. >> That sounds good. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Thank you so much. >> All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you. Good luck. >> Good luck. Thank you so much. >> All right. Enjoy. >> Have a good day. >> All right, that's done.

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>> Harbor City Outreach. >> Okay. CCB23-54 Harbor City Outreach, 135 Monaceel Avenue. >> Okay. >> All right. Who's going to be testifying?

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>> Uh, both of us. >> They're pointing to each other. So, >> both of us. >> All right. Please raise your right hands to square affirm the testimony about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So, help you got it. >> I do. I do. >> Please, we'll start off to the right. State your name, spell your last name, then we'll go to your partner, >> Robert O'Hare. Uh, last name O

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apostrophe capital H A R E. >> Thank you. >> Omar Modi. Last name M O D Y. >> All right. What would you like to tell the board with respect to your status? So currently uh we're just waiting on the CRC approval. So they came back for

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some additional documentation around our standard operating procedures and our tax returns for 20 24 and 2025. Uh we submitted to our consulting group who actually handles all the communications between us and the CRC and we're just waiting on the approval status. >> And you think I'm sorry.

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>> So you're basically built out at this point. >> So we're not built out. This is a major construction project. So when we embarked on this in 2023, we knew the entire time that we were going to take down the building. We questioned the integrity of the building. We're we're

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the owners of of the actual property. >> Um >> I would hope so. >> Yes. So we had to go through all everything in between. We had to deal with zoning and planning. Um you know, drawing up the plans, getting the approvals, getting zoning determination

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letters. We had a process where our original letter needed to be reapproved because there was a new acting director. So, there's a lot of steps that have gone on in this I think two and a half years. Um, and we are where we are. We do have >> is the building built?

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>> The the the current dwelling exists. Yeah. But we're >> No, no, the new con no >> the new construction is not >> No, we have the plans the plans have been approved. Um, but the building is not the building is not built yet. >> Yeah. Okay. All right. So, All right.

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So what you're looking here basically this is just an update and just an an extension till the the next once you get your state and the building is built. >> Right. So so we've been uh we've been dealing with some delays with the

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tenants because you know some of the tenants have uh school uh kids in the school system. So, we were just working with them to sort of, you know, give them enough uh advanced notice to vacate so they can finish the school year off. Um, >> I read the update, but just

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clarification, you're knocking down the old building, which is how many stories? >> Four. >> And you're building a new building. How many stories? >> Four. >> Four. So, just a brand new building. >> As of right, it's the Jackson Hillary development zone. So, we're not amending any any other plans.

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>> Okay. All right. All right. What else you want to tell us? >> Uh, it's been a long process, but we've been continuing, you know, to interact with Marqueia and and give our status updates. Um, we're committed to the city. We're well capitalized to take

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this project through. Um, so it's just the process is really difficult along the way, but we've stayed committed to it. So, we're just asking for continued extensions. >> Any questions >> from the board members? Any questions? No.

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>> Uh any public comments? >> Seeing none, um what's the pleasure of the board? >> Is there a motion to extend? >> Yes. Motion to extend. >> And with that, uh six month return to us

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to give us an update. >> Sure. >> Sure. >> Is there a second? >> Second. Got it. >> All in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Abstension. So moved. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. You're welcome. >> All right. Okay. CCB23-69,

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Cream of the Pot, 41, Maron, Jersey City. I got some questions on this. >> All right. Are both of you testifying? Uh, one. >> Yeah, we can. >> He can. Okay. You >> Well, I can. >> Oh, you can. Please rate the square

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affirm the testimony about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth to help you got. >> Yes. >> Please state your name, spell your last name. >> It's Placet Rose. R O S E. >> Welcome, Miss Rose. Please tell the board uh what's going on. >> So, we are actually three weeks away

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from complete buildout. We have received all of our inspections. Well, not all. We received all rough inspections, approvals. Um so, we're going to be working on our final inspections. I don't know if Marquia gave you the pictures, but I do have pictures of our buildout. Um, so we're almost there. Um,

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I'm in contact with our inspector, well, investigator. Um, she's well aware that we are almost finished. I've already submitted my packet, so I'm waiting for her to do an initial walk through and then to do the final walk through, but we're we're pretty much there.

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>> All right. So, originally you were approved for this site. When was the initial >> uh CCP? It was August 14, 2023. Council approval almost two years later, >> more than that. October 8, 2025.

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>> Right. I don't know if you guys remember, but I had to change locations a few times. >> Right. So, uh the count we approved the new location or where was the old location? >> The old location was 50 Journal Square.

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>> Oh, that's >> that's that was the Okay, >> that's right. Now I remember. >> Right. Right. >> Uh and then Yeah. Because the city was condemning the property. >> Right. >> Right. Right. >> Uh then you found a new location. >> Then we found a new location. No. Then we found a new location on Communo.

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>> On Commun. >> And then that location is up for sale. That building is up for sale. And then we found this location. >> Okay. So, originally uh and I know I was the only one here that actually voted on it, but remind me

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>> uh on the original application after all that that we approved, what was the address? Was it downtown or is it uh Commun? >> No, it was Commun I believe for 493. >> Okay. >> 493. >> So,

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>> yeah. And then so we what we heard that was in 2022 23 >> 23 >> 23 >> August 14th 203 >> and that was on uh commun right >> yes >> right so now you're here

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I got a question a legal question we we approved an application for one location >> that moved >> that moved the council approved that's the the previous location that we approved approved. Is this a new application? >> Well, actually, it's not treated as a

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new application because the original applicant for 41 Maron Boulevard abandoned the location and agreed to allow her to move there. >> Okay. >> Okay. Gotcha. >> Thanks for that. I was going to say, oops. >> Right. Right. Okay. Uh gets a little

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confusing, you know. Yeah. >> My memory only goes back. >> Same wart. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Uh that because that was going to be my next question. All right. So, uh now I totally understand. Okay. Uh

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continue. If you have anything else? >> No, that's basically it. Um I don't know if you have the pictures, but we're we're right there. Um like I said, I'm in contact with my investigator. Hopefully, she can come out probably by

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this week or next week. And then we're off to the ball game. I guess. But that's I'm like right there. >> When do you project to open? >> I can say August, September. >> Okay. Looks nice.

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>> Thank you. A lot of hard work. >> Yeah. I'm sure uh everybody in Jersey C is going to have a story of the miserable experience you have had. >> We all have to meet up. Yeah. You know, uh and I can sympathize with you, trust me. Uh any questions from

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Okay. Um is there any members of the public would like to speak? >> No. Uh is there a motion? >> A motion to continue. Okay. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed. So moved.

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>> Good luck. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Let's see. That's the coupe. We also got to go back to the other one. >> Right. That's um >> All right. Please raise your right hand. Do you swear affirm the testimony? Give

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me the truth, the whole truth, and nothing. Both the truths help you God. >> I do. >> Okay. Please state your name. Spell your last name. And >> Mario Costa. C O S T A. >> Okay. Mario, what would you like to tell the board as to the status? Uh we had a little setback because one of our main members of the team got sick but uh

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we're ready to submit the application to the state in next two three weeks. >> So you >> the building I still have the building cuz I own the building. No mortgage anything. I've been there for over 45 years. I'm the owner of the White Manor

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and the ringside. I have a gym open for the community for the last 35 years for the kids boxing for free. I don't encourage them to become fighters. It's not a good sport. >> Still have the pigeons upstairs, >> but just keep them off the streets.

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>> You still have the pigeons upstairs. >> We still have the pigeons. Tyson's B. That's why we call the coupe. >> Okay. Uh, so as of this moment, you're still in the process of getting the statement. >> In the next two weeks, I think

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everything is ready. We will submit it and then we'll we'll present it to you guys. >> All right. And I appreciate your patience. >> Are you asking an extension for what? A month? >> Yes. 30 days. That'll be more than enough. >> Is there any questions?

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>> No. >> Okay. Uh, anybody from the public? >> Nope. Don't see any. >> Okay. Uh, is there a motion to uh for approving the extension for 30 days? >> Motion to approve. >> Is there a second?

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>> Second. All in favor say I. >> I opposed. Abstensions. So moved. >> Good luck. >> Thank you. Okay. Last but not least. >> Okay. Uh >> yeah. >> Is that which one? Jersey leaf. That's

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right. Okay. >> Whoops. Sorry, gentlemen. It's past our time. >> Yeah. Yeah. They're here for a renewal. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Go right ahead. >> Who's going to be testifying there? >> You swear affirm the testimony you're about to give. The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Help you God. >> Yes.

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>> We state your name. Spell your last name. >> William Pena. P N A. >> All right. So, you were before the board on June 13, 2022, and you've been operating. Go ahead. Fill us in here. >> Uh, yeah, we we've been operating um we

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just made a year in May. Um, you know, we're working hard, you know, trying to catch up with the debt we occurred for opening. Um, we have, we're grateful to have five employees, all city, all city people, all born and raised Jersey City

394
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residents. Um, we work with our community. We're doing everything we were supposed to be doing. >> Right. Um, I see that you paid your uh fees April 25th, 2025. Have you paid them in uh

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2026? >> They're up to date. >> Okay. That was my only question. Okay. >> Yeah. At the end of this month, we got to do our quarterly tax. >> Okay. >> Yeah, we're up to date. >> Okay. Uh, that was my only question. Anybody have any questions?

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No. Members of the public, anybody want to speak? Don't see any. Okay. I'll entertain a motion. >> I'll move to approve. >> Approve. >> Okay. So, all in favor say I. >> I. Oppose. Abstension. So move.

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>> Abstension here. >> Oh, excuse me. I got to >> Yeah. >> Oh, that's right. >> That's right. Yeah. >> Yeah. Good. >> Right. Okay. Right. >> So, okay. So, we have uh approvals. No. I just want abstension. >> That's it. Congratulations.

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>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Who? I'm sorry. Who made the motion and who seconded? >> Uh Pat made the motion. >> I second. Thank you. Thank you. >> And one extension. >> Extension. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. I believe we gone through the entire

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agenda. Uh as you know at the end of the meetings, I always like to ask any questions, any comments. >> Mr. Chairman, before you do that, could I >> Oh, the resolutions. Okay, >> appreciate that. Okay,

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>> just give me a second here. We got quite a few. >> All right, so the uh following resolutions are for a renewal. They are renewal resolutions because the businesses have already been in place and they needed a a renewal for another

401
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year. That would be the RIP dispensary. you heard tonight. MMD, Downtown Flower, uh Green Stop, uh Wellness, and uh Jersey Leaf. I just need one motion followed by a second to memorialize

402
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these resolutions to renew these folks licenses for one year. >> I make a motion to approve. >> I'll second it. >> Now, uh maybe I'm sorry. What we're going to do is remove Jersey Leaf since you can't vote on that. Isn't that correct?

403
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>> Okay. Okay. So, with the sorry, Mr. Chairman, with the exception of Jersey Leaf, let me do this again. Rip dispensary, MMD, Downtown Flower, Green Stop, >> can I get a motion followed by a second? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.

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>> Any opposed? All right. With respect to Jersey Leaf, can I get a motion followed by a second? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All right. And you are abstaining, Robert? Correct. The rest of the crew voting uh yes. >> Yes. I >> any absentions other than Robert? No.

405
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And any uh denials? No. Hearing none, seeing none. Okay. Now, with respect to endorsement, revocation, these are cannabis businesses that for one reason or another uh the CCB decided they could no longer support these applicants, whether they just simply withdrew,

406
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whether they haven't been paying any taxes, whether they're not open, etc., etc. Kush Club, Butler and Baldwin, uh, Chilltown Dispensary, uh, Bud Space and Vox Farms.

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>> Can I get a motion followed by a second? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? >> Hearing none, seeing none. Thank you. >> Okay. I got to sign this, right? >> Uh, no. I've been putting in electronic signatures so I don't have to torture you.

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>> Excellent. Excellent. Okay. Uh any comments? You want to say something? >> I was going to say there's comments. I don't know who skipping that part. >> Yeah, sure. >> But any comments from the audience? >> State your name, address. >> Yeah. Frank

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Robertson, 1708 Kennedy Boulevard. I am the president of uh the Jersey City uh cannabis for responsible consumption. Uh I spoke to uh chairperson. We were having problems with uh the illegal smoke shops in Bodega. We don't have I

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mean the commerce department doesn't have any they can't go out and uh with compliance and tell the illegal smoke shops or the bodeas not to sell. It's cutting in the profits of all the uh dispensaries that are open. And also

411
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theus are now the multi-state operators are looking at buying the four or five dispensaries that went out of business. And the multi-state operators are have a big advantage because if you go to their stores, they selling the same product

412
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that we sell for 30% off because they actually are the ones that make the product. We also have a problem with uh uh most of the people that were actually coming up to uh get the license are not from Jersey City or the state of New

413
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Jersey. As you see, we have a lot of litigation going on with a bunch of these dispensaries that actually are open that shouldn't be open. And we're looking at the uh and and we actually we he knows we spoke to uh uh the last city

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council and also the CCB about the landlords. The landlords are the only ones that are making money in terms of we have five dispensaries out of business and we have six businesses right now and I I sent to my Marquia that are being sold as you speak now

415
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that you guys and I'm glad you took some of those guys off cuz they were selling their paper if you didn't know what that is. They actually selling the support and you can go on online and see that we have six dispensaries that you just took off. four of them that was actually selling the paper the resolution of

416
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support 600 700,000 you could actually sit I sent it to Marquia because I don't think it's fair for a business or the all these uh dispensaries open to have the illegal shops and then MSOs coming in saying you know what we can buy seven

417
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dispensaries for 35%. cuz if you go to Edison, that's exactly what they're doing. Ascend, Terascend, and uh Zen Leaf. So, it puts us at a disadvantage of selling. We all sell the same product. So, I mean, you go across

418
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the street or here, they're pitting everybody against. You said that from day one, it's going to pit everybody against each other. So, you have a lot of you have three on one block. We all sell the same product. But the difference is who has the best landlord or the best lease. You got some of these

419
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dispensaries spending $30,000 a month in rent. So the the the the uh landlords are partners. $360,000 a year you're paying the landlord and you have 30 dispensaries in one

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city, which I said it should have been only six because it's oversaturated and the community doesn't like it. And also the uhus that we actually signed and I I I believe director would tell you that

421
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they had no uh anyone that could come and say you know what we guys we want to see if they're doing it. I know our we get $45,000 a year. I mean we do this and not just because it's required by you guys because we from Jersey City. So

422
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I never see I mean I seen two people or two different ones who are part of our coalition to say hey guys theou is part of getting your license and like he he's actually in there calling people finding out uh who's doing what they're supposed

423
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to do. So, I'm I'm just saying that I think they should give you more authority and to with compliance because the city council should have you guys actually have them like he said, they can't afford to get anybody else to go and hey, let me see what's in your vault. Let me see if you're building

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out. But I I sent to Marquee, I said, because there's a lot of paper being sold or trying to be sold, but four of them today you you got rid of, so it won't be up there. Thank you, >> man. >> Thank you. Just just keep in mind that

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was the reason that we started um having requesting that all the um pending businesses return to the board because we found out when we initially just asked for you know answer questionnaire what's your status that there were some

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licenses that weren't very truthful on what was happening with the businesses. So, I think it's been very helpful that we're forcing um businesses to come back and they're, you know, they're under oath and they have to let us know what the exact status is and if they're not really moving forward that we are

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revoking that support resolution. I think it was um uh chairman Patel, I mentioned last week like how last month like how are you selling something that you don't have? You don't have a license, right? and and and and the other one good part about it is we now that we have the cap and we're over the

428
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cap, they really can't sell this paper approval because we're not going to allow them to be over the cap and it's considered, you know, it could be a change of location. It's a new owner. So, we we're trying to narrow it down where maybe there'll be a reduction in the number of licenses and at some point

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let's hopefully the city will enforce and shut down some of these smoke shops. I mean, we have had some activity with closing a few of the smoke shops or at least raiding some of these smoke shops that we're looking to try to shut down. It's just a long process going through

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court and we're having lab reports of of the product just to confirm that it really is cannabis before we can really revoke the smoke shop license. So, it's just been a slower process than any any of us predicted, but we're trying to do our best. Maynard. Uh,

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and that's always been a concern of mine that we were approving so many cannabis stores and people weren't going to be able to open or maintain the business. Uh, I'm glad that we're now at the point where we're no we're no longer going to

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allow anybody to sell paper that has nothing. >> Correct. >> All right. So my question is, can an MSO operate more than one cannabis store in Jersey City? Can anybody have >> They can. >> They can. >> It first the answer was no.

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>> Then they allowed them to have 35% and now I think it's pretty flexible now. >> Is is that a state law or a city? >> State state. >> Oh, that sucks. >> And is trying to buy three right now? The other side and another one. So it's three of them. They you guys first said

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that they they couldn't sell the MSOs because they have an advantage. >> That's right. Thor >> they making it and they selling to us. >> So it's confidence. It's actually a conflict. I mean they're the whole they're the cultivators. >> We the retailers. They also the retailers and they also the manufacturers. >> So if they get it if they sell it to us

435
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for 50, we sell it for 100. They sell it for 35. >> And you can go online and see that. >> Right. So my question is all right. So the state's allowing it which is really stupid >> but Jersey City isn't. Jersey City didn't at first said you couldn't have MSO in Jersey City. So you still can't have it in Jersey City.

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>> Well, a state law trumps uh local law so they can't. >> Uh so my question really is >> interstate commerce clause, >> right? Exactly. So the question is how is there any way legally to prevent saying you have now 30

437
01:58:50.560 --> 01:59:06.560
cannabis independent stores to basically come down to like five with different names. >> Well, the other problem is is that the amount of ownership each one has. You could have they could put a stick figure up here that has just a small percentage

438
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and then be backed by what you're talking about. That's what my problem was day one when we did all of this. >> That's why Bayernard said what he said. >> That was my problem. They're trying to sell what they don't have. Number one. And number two, they were putting a stick figure up here and they had the rest of the people in the background and

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they were basically doing what liquor did years ago with buy rights and all that. >> There's no way of stopping it. We have no power to do that. >> Unfortunately, >> we can identify them. We know they're stiff figures, right? >> Yeah. But we can't we can't turn the license down because of that. That's the

440
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problem. It's It doesn't give us a basis for turning it. If the guy gets up here and says, "I only own 1%." That's not a basis for us to turn it down >> is the state has basically tied our hands. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> We can't turn it down for that reason. >> What could we do then? >> So, just to supplement real quick, what

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what they can sell is is the resolution of support. It doesn't have an expiration date. >> Most of the I've said this a million times, so I'm blue. Most of the towns I represent, I put in an expiration date. They didn't want to do that here for a number of reasons. So yeah, they could

442
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sell the resolution of support >> and hopefully the governing body, the city council will now see that we have this the CCB has revoked their endorsement. So hopefully they will revoke the resolution of support. >> Can you do that?

443
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>> Oh, absolutely. >> Okay. All right. That's good. >> That's the only thing we can say again. Once we get the resolution, the re the revocation recommendation, we're going to send it right to the city council to have that process done hopefully with the next meeting within the next month. Okay. In front of the city council. Yes.

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>> Attorney question. Attorney question. >> Yes, sir. >> This being such a new market still, >> there's going to be laws, rules that are going to, I guess, be shifted depending the demographics. Jersey City is a demi different demographics than

445
02:01:01.520 --> 02:01:17.760
uh >> Pison Patterson. Perfect example. So I think uh that's a law question I'm asking you. You think it's different cities have different uh laws or do we keep in in cahoots with other CCB boards

446
02:01:17.760 --> 02:01:34.000
and see what they're doing? >> Yeah, it's a good question. Uh so you know I've represented over 20 municipalities and uh there are some municipalities that were very much into um minorities inclusion um

447
02:01:34.000 --> 02:01:51.920
veterans uh women licenses and so that's a policy decision that's set by the city council. I have represented other municipalities that have no interest whatsoever in that type. They want MSOs with a lot of money. Um, so those are

448
02:01:51.920 --> 02:02:08.159
policy decisions that start here and then get trickled down. >> There was even a resolution to give it to criminals first. You remember that? >> There was a resolution to to give the licenses to somebody with a criminal background before somebody else. the

449
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state indicated that you would have a leg up if you had a criminal violation, especially for marijuana, because that was social justice. These folks, and I've represented, some of them had spent years in jail for selling an ounce of, you know, pot.

450
02:02:25.360 --> 02:02:42.000
>> Uh so it was a a form of social justice at the state level. Now, whether or not a municipality wanted to follow that is another story, >> right? And I would just say a commissioner, he's a great guy, Jeff. Uh but for me I think that you should weigh

451
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heavy on the people actually in this business cuz he knows about you know the effects of but in terms of what's going on in the street you know it's a it's real hard to run a business when you got somebody around the corner selling

452
02:02:58.400 --> 02:03:14.719
$10 or $15 a >> I have a question about this density which was mentioned with one of the things like you know one of the ones sorry one of the ones that we approved today was literally within a block of another one that we approved and it's

453
02:03:14.719 --> 02:03:31.440
quite a it's on Newark there. There's quite a corridor there. I I expressed concern just the proximity to Dickinson >> and where the Dickinson kids go to eat lunch every day. It's now like literally on the street where all the Dickinson kids go to eat lunch. I understand that that's not a rationale that I'm allowed

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to use in making this decision, but do we have any oversight to like we're talking about competitiveness, but there's a lot of density in a very small area. >> Correct. But you you're saying it was 1,000 ft, then they moved to 200 feet, >> right? It was 1,000 ft for all schools. If you go to uh um

455
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>> and and 200 feet is basically on the if it's on the corner, then it's right there. >> Correct. >> Which is but but the kids can go on >> still because it's it's beyond 200 feet. >> Yeah. Correct. >> Um and then you have down in uh Perth Amboy, you have to be 1,000 ft from the school and the church. So they only have

456
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two in the city even though it's big. So >> that's only >> correct. And and and actually when they first did the the wrote the uh the ordinance, it was only supposed to be 17 if you checked out all the green zones. We mapped it out to figure out it would

457
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only be 17, but then they got rid of the green zone to make it include commercial, residential, which it wasn't. It was supposed to be on commercial, >> but the problem is by the time it gets to us, it's already approved. Correct. Already approved. Yes. >> So, we don't even touch on that, >> right? Well, actually, it's supposed to come to you first and then go to the

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state. >> You have for for the license, you have to come to you first. >> Well, we're confined to the ordinance. That's >> confined to what we have. >> Yeah, but the ordinance was changed. It was It was changed, but it was actually saying when they changed it from commercial to residential cuz you couldn't have it in the residential area

459
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unless it was commercial. >> So, that that was a problem. No one listened to us. >> I know you said that from day one. You said it from day one. >> Day one. I had a problem with it. Yeah. Ordinance read one for ward. And now there's one for street now. Right. >> We did not have very cooperative

460
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>> street or read one for ward. >> Well, I'll tell you why. Because when we first started, there was no limit. >> Yeah. >> Jersey City didn't have the limit. Correct. >> Jersey City. >> There's no just if you just some of the history it's like >> Yeah. >> Initially we started there wasn't a cap

461
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at all. >> Right. And then it was always the discussion of when does the pen go in the map when we have the like the 600 foot rule. >> And what was decided by the administration was if you had submitted your application you would allow to continue even if you

462
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were within less than 600 feet or 700 feet from each other because the pin wasn't in the map and the pin goes in the map when the city council approves it. So that's why unfortunately we have several businesses I mean at one point we had one that were sharing a wall.

463
02:05:53.840 --> 02:06:09.840
they were, you know, they were sharing a wall and with distance. I mean, >> was that a mistake on our part? Probably. So, um, it was just an a legal recommendation like the pin goes on the map at the time of city council approval. Anyone who had submitted before this cuto off date that we established, you're allowed to move

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forward. >> That's why we technically we're actually over the cap. >> Even like for us to make a recommendation to the council to reconsider or think >> well not without a lawsuit, >> right? and we're going to lose that lawsuit because and you know we've

465
02:06:25.440 --> 02:06:42.159
talked about this many times and uh it kind of shut down that we wanted to have a voice in you know amending the the ordinance and it you know no one wanted to talk to us >> about draft we wanted to draft it too

466
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right but no one would listen to us and look the problem was that >> it was a money maker >> and I'm not talking about the business. I'm talking about the political side. It was a true money maker and no one wanted to tap that. >> Nobody wanted to cap it. >> Right. So,

467
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>> you know, there's a flip side to this cuz some of the other municipalities that I represent, they only allowed two or three and there's a lot of cannabis businesses that were disappointed, angry. Nobody was disappointed or angry in 2022 here because everybody was

468
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getting approved. Everyone was happy except they didn't realize that it was just not sustainable. >> Right. Right. Right. As you said, ma'am, what uh the city the city council cap uh just call me Jeff says that to me. Jeff said

469
02:07:30.000 --> 02:07:46.880
>> Jeff said it should be just like the um liquor, the alcohol liquor the way that they do it. He he told them and they >> brushed it off and he went he went to the uh city council and said I was there with him. He said you should go give us the same thing as you do as the um alcohol >> as ABC.

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You realize there's not even a suspension provision like on I was pushing for that too and nobody wanted to hear it. >> Yeah. >> You can't even suspend somebody for multiple violations. All we could do is ask you a couple of questions. >> Right. >> And then it looks like you're picking on them. >> Right. >> Right.

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>> We have a new administration, new city council. >> Well, as you know, Ron will say, I tell you, uh I was the most vocal person here for all those years. Uh, and it went nowhere. >> Yeah.

472
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>> You know, and Maynard and Maria, they they fought hard and uh, you know, they're in a bad position because, you know, uh, they're, you know, employees of the city and they couldn't push them too far because this this ad the

473
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previous administration was kind of vindictive. >> Correct. >> To say the least. But >> well, I can tell you one thing about the last administration. I know one of the guys said that it's going to be the survival of the fittest. >> Figuring that that's why they gave everybody because they believe that it's

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only going to be four to five of which it will in two years. I believe it'll just be the Yeah. We got a lot of bodeas now. The cannabis is like bodega on every other corner. >> Oh, absolutely. Look, it's very frustrating. You know, I walked into uh

475
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a bodega to pick up a lottery ticket. Hopefully then I can retire. you know, uh, and right in front of me, they had little canisters with, you know, cannabis written on it, and you could see the, you know, the flower in it. And

476
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it was it wasn't even they were not even trying to hide it anymore. It's right out there, you know, and it's it's shameful. >> Lack of enforcement. >> Yes. >> Oh, absolutely. So, you know, there there's places in in Jersey City that cars at a certain point in day will line

477
02:09:40.639 --> 02:09:57.119
up double parked as they run in there and no one stops them. >> And I and I went to the city and said it's a health problem because what happens if your 16-year-old kid goes in the store and buy >> some we call it's marijuana cuz cannabis is legal in New Jersey. Marijuana isn't. Marijuana is considered outside of New

478
02:09:57.119 --> 02:10:13.840
Jersey and it's illegal and you know a kid got sick with fentanyl because you don't know what's in those things. And besides, I tell everybody to welcome to the welcome to our struggle because if you don't know, since it's illegal federally, we pay a different tax. We're in a different different tax rate. >> Well, you don't get any deductions for

479
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business. >> It's a 280. 50% of what we make automatically goes to the feds. >> And and as you stated, look, and you've heard me many times, I'm a long supporter of decades of cannabis. Uh,

480
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and I would never buy from an illegal shop. And I've seen it. It's like $105. >> Yeah. >> I don't want I want to know >> what I buy is clean that I don't get sick. >> Absolutely. >> You know, and unfortunately, there's a

481
02:10:45.199 --> 02:11:00.560
lot of people who don't care or don't really realize. >> They don't know. They just don't know. and it's strong enough to get them high and they think it's all natural and it's not. >> A recommendation from one of the uh council members that we're going to

482
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either come up with some type of city logo that says like licensed cannabis facility with their license number that has to be on the side of the building. >> Doing something also with some of the smoke shops. We're just trying to figure out is there a way that we can add some wording that smoke shops cannot sell

483
02:11:16.000 --> 02:11:32.239
cannabis. Like that's what we're working on. >> That would be great. I do get a lot of people that think that they're going to a dispensary and they're actually going to a smoke shop all the time. They're like, "Yeah, I went to, you know, all stars." And I'm like, "No, that's not a dispensary." You

484
02:11:32.239 --> 02:11:49.760
know, so I do get a lot of courthouse. >> Yeah. And I also say, >> and I'll close with this, the most important >> realiz the cops rolled in. >> Yeah. >> They got a judge was standing next to me buying the same [ __ ] >> Same boat here, man. And I I would just

485
02:11:49.760 --> 02:12:06.320
close to this illegal and and since the city is in so dry draits with taxes, >> those uh illegal bodeas ille illegal shops take money from your pocket >> 100%. >> Oh, I don't disagree. Absolutely. >> 2% supposed to go to the children. >> And correct. And I can tell you, you

486
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look at the number, it's between four and $5 million missing out of this city because of that. >> I don't disagree with that. >> I doubt that one bit. >> I have a question. Good. >> If you don't mind, it was to piggyback off what Frank said. Um, it might be giving me more work, Lord. But >> you sure you want to ask it?

487
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>> But it I But if >> you know I'm gonna give it to you. >> I know. >> Um, it was about theus. I do think that for the renewals, >> we do need to figure out if they're honoring. I know we talked about that.

488
02:12:37.599 --> 02:12:55.040
Like we have to figure out somehow if they're honoring what if they have newus with new people. I mean, because I'm pretty sure a lot of themus have expired. >> We're going to have to actually request an update from the recipient of those >> and I'm guilty because

489
02:12:55.040 --> 02:13:11.199
>> I'm not even asking and I forget. But yeah, you know something >> are expired. >> We know they are. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. >> So, let let's put a little history to that. Remember, we initially were requesting or requiring and then the city council, the law

490
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department said you can't do that. I mean, one of the applicants, the last one who testified, he had indicated that he would donate $200,000 a year. >> Uh, we're not holding anybody for that

491
02:13:26.480 --> 02:13:43.040
type ofou. No. >> Um, first of all, it's illegal. I think >> that was a bad prediction on what he felt he was going to make in this, >> right? So, I think we need to be just careful. Anou with respect to, hey, you said you were going to do an expungement

492
02:13:43.040 --> 02:14:00.800
clinic. Fine. Uh, anou, you said you were going to increase literacy and education about drugs and alcohol. Fine. >> Anou that says you're going to dole out 200 grand. >> So, should I update my renewal packets to have them just be more detailed about

493
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>> what they've done? >> What they've done? >> I don't think it'll hurt whether or not we hold the standard or what we're allowed to do. Do I think it will force them to at least do the exercise? >> Mhm. Yeah. Can't hurt. >> I agree. >> Share some information on what's >> happen. All right.

494
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>> Uh, you know, at some point we're all going to have to sit down and go through the pages of the ordinance and, you know, with legal with, you know, uh, staff's

495
02:14:31.840 --> 02:14:47.520
recommendations. so you can see what works and what doesn't work. >> A good time to do it soon. There are some changes that are possibly being made. Um, one that they're going to change where the funds are going um with what's going on in Jersey City. So,

496
02:14:47.520 --> 02:15:03.040
right now the funds are dedicated to the board of ed and social equity um groups. And I think they're going to just put that in the general they're going to start putting the tax money in the general fund just because we're dealing with this major deficit. I mean, year to

497
02:15:03.040 --> 02:15:18.320
date, not year to date, but since we've started the cannabis business and it opened, we've actually collected $1.3 million in taxes. >> Really? >> Yeah. So, I mean, it it does bring in a fair amount of money. It's anywhere from $6 to $700,000 a year.

498
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>> Yeah. And again, uh, >> what they >> as Pat said, you know, you and you've heard me over and over for the last couple of years that we need to amend that give us a little more power like the ABC that, you know, we can fine, suspend, and, you know, and challenge

499
02:15:35.119 --> 02:15:50.560
instead of right now it's either we approve or we don't approve. And as an applicant who was here just a while ago when we did not approve their application because they basically lied through the whole thing uh went to court and overrule we had no choice to approve

500
02:15:50.560 --> 02:16:07.840
it. So we need to have the ability not >> and and the lies just kept continuing today. He we're given a lease in July. They had that lease when they went with their RIT. They had to have a lease in order to proceed to court, right? >> Because where was she putting it? But he just said, "Oh, we're giving the lease

501
02:16:07.840 --> 02:16:24.079
in July." >> I didn't even want to get into it because >> I know, trust me. >> Just let it go just to prove and goodbye. You know, >> at least they had to go through the exercise. You know what I mean? Like it wasn't just a blank Yes. >> Right. >> Yeah. But it just makes it makes the board it makes this whole thing lookive,

502
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right? Like we're doing nothing. That's the problem. Look, we I won't go into details, but there were a couple of incidences that were pretty foul and we had no power to stop it at all. All the only power was that when a time for

503
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renewal came up, we wouldn't renew. >> Yeah. These are all nuanced and we need way more discretion to deal with nuance, >> right? So, you know, it would give us the ability to make people do the right thing. >> Yeah. Also, when they don't pay my fee, my license

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fee, >> right? >> Then there should be some kind of consequence. >> Absolutely. There should be a fine and a suspension. >> Yeah. We're actually shut down. I'm talking about immediately. >> We're actually looking into maybe a policy decision according to the law department. I mean, because we have

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businesses that are coming in for renewals, but they owe taxes, you know, multiple months of multiple quarters of taxes. So, that has become an issue. Um, I was told it can't really be written into an ordinance as we can't renew the license because of taxes, but I mean,

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I've requested late fees to be attached to those similar to what we have in park. We also collect $9 million in parking lot taxes, and there's a late fee for payments. >> Um, it's a penalty and a and and an interest that we charge. I'm looking to add that to the um

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>> right >> the the cannabis taxes just because it does encourage people to pay on time especially when they see that as soon as you're late you know that marquee or some other staff member that we have were actually billing you for the late fee once you pay it >> like like a credit card they charge 24%.

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>> You know again we're we're acting as a bank and loaning them money with no interest. Some of my towns I have suggested personal guarantees. Be surprised how quickly people pay when they're actually on the hook.

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>> Can you actually have a personal guarantee if you are an LLC? >> Um there is a section in the state um uh statutes that indicate that the business is personally liable. What does that mean? Yeah.

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>> To me that means there should be a body a name that's attached to that being personally liable. >> Okay. Yeah, >> that's not a bad idea. >> Well, not every town was warm and fuzzy about that. So, it's another policy decision. >> Well, I would I I'd like to present that

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to the council and stand in front of them and ask them, are you willing to put on the record that you're increasing everybody's real estate taxes, but you're not going you're going to let a business person get away with murder? >> Business. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> You're braver than me. Oh, well, tr the

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new council people don't know me, but whoever is returning, they know my mouth. >> Jeff's got the scars to prove it. >> Yeah, exactly. I don't have a turnoff switch. All right. Um, so at some point I would

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love to have everybody when you have the time, I know everybody's busy, but read through the ordinance and >> let's make suggestions. >> Email to us. >> Huh? have the ordinance emailed to us so we can read through it. >> Yeah. >> Right. And

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thank you. >> Right. Right. So look through it. Suggestions send them to them. >> Okay. >> And they will, you know, look through it. Uh they know what the law is and

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what we can get away with. sort of. I know >> always changes. >> I say we put the law in, let him sue us. >> All are already. >> All right. Uh if any other comments or anything else you want to discuss otherwise,

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>> we can go home and have dinner. >> I'd like to have a motion. >> Motion. >> Is there a second? >> All in favor say I. >> I. Uh, I want to thank everybody, especially the new members. I really appreciate your input and thank you very

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much for joining. >> Actually on the other side. >> Can I get your email? >> He's the city side. >> He's with us, but he's city side. >> I mean, he's called, but he has no authority. By the way, >> now

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everybody's understanding that we do not uh if you have questions, you can email directly