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read something into the record and then we'll move on. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The meeting of the cannabis control board of the city of Jersey City held Monday, March 23rd at approximately 53 p.m. uh in accordance with the open public meetings act. Adequate notice of

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this meeting was provided by email to the Bergen record. Uh roll call, please. >> Chairperson Kappowitz here. Uh vice chairperson Patel was absent. Uh my my understanding is that Mr. Patel is undergoing some type of medical

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procedure. >> Okay. Uh Commissioner Naparoski >> here. >> Commissioner Stell >> here. >> Commissioner Pepe >> here. >> We do have a quorum. >> Thank goodness. >> Okay. Absolutely. Um, first case we're

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going to hear is CCB22-11, the Leaf Joint LLC at 391 Central Avenue for renewal. >> You certainly could make yourself comfortable at the table here and then u

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perhaps can indicate who's going to be testifying this evening. >> Both of you? One of you? None of you? All right. Uh, before you have a seat, please raise your right hand. Do you swear affirm the testimony about to give you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth to help you God?

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>> Okay. Um, could you please state your name, spell your last name, and give us your address for the record? >> My home address. >> Uh, that's fine. Yeah. >> Both. >> You say you're not allowed to give your home address. I disagree with that line

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of thought, but uh, whatever you're comfortable. Uh yeah, I'll give the dispensary. >> Uh my name is David. >> You really don't want any wis uh visitors at your home. >> Yeah. Yeah, you you're right. >> Uh David Jefferson, 391 Central Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey, 07307.

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>> Welcome. And I know we swore you in. So your name, last name, and an address. >> Charmaine de Jesus. And my address is 31 Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 075. >> All right. Welcome. I'll turn it over. >> Just turn over turn on your microphone. >> Thank you.

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>> Turn it over to you, Mr. Chairman. >> Uh good evening. You've been in business for a few years at this point. >> Yes. >> Uh you know, so I would like you to address uh the promises that you made when you were first here for your

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application. The number and I do see in the report uh that you have a Jersey City person out of three, I believe. >> Jersey City what? I'm sorry. How many people you have employed? >> No, it's actually uh it's five at this time. >> Five. Okay. I'd like you to uh tell us

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how many Jersey City employees you have out of that five. Tell us also uh what you've done to contribute to the surrounding neighborhood and to the charities that you promised that you would help. >> Yeah. Well, the the the charity work uh

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never stopped. Um we we're constantly doing things in the area um from things as book bag giveaways. Um uh we've also worked with Community First. Probably heard of him, Joe and uh Dave. Um you know, two good guys. We're you know we

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do we we work with them on the uh book the big bookback drive they give um every Thanksgiving. The one going into Christmas and we have one coming up for Easter that that we're a part of. Um I also have another we also have another

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um nonprofit work with Save a Few. Um um Panda Glover is the the um the CEO of it and we've done many many many things with her as well. Um u with the kids. Um

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uh we just uh contribute to a play that was at Jersey City State College that um um they were able to to to bust a lot of the kids in to actually see the B. It was an AF it was a um Black History Month. So um yeah, the the

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I mean we do everything from um ice cream socials where we have the ice cream during the summer. We you know we have the um Mr. softy but a version of it. Pull up in front of the uh dispensary and we just give out ice

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cream on a on on a on a warm day. So the charity work charitable work has always been there. Um I think we have five employees. They they all um >> four out of five >> four out of five is from Jersey City. Um

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we've had very little turnover. Most of the people that started from day one is still there. So, um, yeah, you know, it's just, um, from your perspective, >> since you're the first one that we're actually renewing, uh, I'd like some

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feedback. I'd like the feedback that, uh, what do you've experienced starting up the business that was a positive that we could use moving forward and negatives? >> Well, where do I start? >> Well, >> um,

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>> no, it's going to be very helpful. >> Yeah. Well, we were actually the first one to open in the area of the Heights. >> Mhm. >> Um, so there were there was no one else there. It it's really just the the the the competition

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that we just allow when I don't know, we we just somehow mismanaged that number of how many was supposed to open in Jersey City. could be a great business, but you know, if we cut the prize too many ways, it's just not

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profitable. You know what I mean? >> Um, you know, we're, you know, we're chucking along, but, you know, as they continue to open in the area, um, you know, you know, it could take effect. As you can see, there was been a

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couple in the area, not too far that's actually closed down already, right? So, um, you know, we're we're constantly trying to do things to make sure that we keep our head above the water with that. But, um, yeah, it's really the

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competition thing that we need to and that that distancing rule, you know, we fought that, lost that battle. Um, so now, you know, it's just, um, who's ever rubber stamping dispensary licenses, it

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needs to stop. Uh I thank you for your uh comments. They're very very helpful. It really is. I don't disagree with what you're saying. Right. Uh on both parts. Uh any other questions from the board? >> I do, Mr. Chair. Go.

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>> So Mr. Jefferson, initially you had a percentage of 33%. And that has increased to 51. >> No, it's um it was >> June 27th. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think I say it was the third. >> Dillo testified. Well, he didn't

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testify. He's an attorney. He indicated to the board that there were three folks and each had 33%. >> I I believed the initial was wrong. Um it was supposed to be for It's just me and my sister

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>> and my wife has a a small percentage of of 9%. But uh >> is that reflected with the state? >> It is reflected with the state. Yeah. I think your paperwork was wrong, but it's reflective with the state. Uh, could you send us uh

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>> I mean the resolution that we passed on June 27, 2022, their attorney at the time was Mr. Pazillo from Gova Burns, >> and although he didn't testify, but he said that the applicant is comprised of three owners participating in equal

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partnership, 33% each. >> So perhaps Mr. Pazillo at the time was wrong, >> right? Yeah, he was. But that's um the actual percentages is reflected correctly with the state. >> Right. Okay. Um do me a favor. Uh could

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you send that document to the office and this way we have up-to-date records. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Here's the indication that Mr. Bazillo next introduced Miss Pamela Jones, a one owner. >> Yeah.

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She lives with me and she owns she has more authority than 33%. >> She owns all of it. >> Well, she's she's known as the pitbull. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> There she is. There she is. Uh the the other question that I have

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and this is not meant to be derogatory but with respect to the um municipal cannabis taxes, one of the things that the board is supposed to determine whether or not the applicant has met all of the city's local uh licensing

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requirements and everything else that's set forth in the chapter. And it appears that you haven't been delinquent, but the time periods have been somewhat delayed. Um, >> it is a challenge.

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>> That's all I can tell you. It's um I think we're doing the best we can to make sure that we we stay on top of the fees as well as the taxes, but you got to understand as competition moves into the area. Um you know, I as you could see some of

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them went out and I'm I don't know where they were at from a tax standpoint, but uh I was sure they were probably delinquent as well. Um >> well the the and I don't the way the taxes work if make if you make a h 100,000 it's 2% of that. If you make $10

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because of the competition it's 2% of that. Uh so >> yeah. >> Yeah it is. Um in the you know if you want to simplify it that it doesn't really work out like that on a dayto-day basis. It's it's it's really

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money coming in trying to pay for bills, trying to pay for product, um trying to play employees, and um you know, we get >> I get it. I'm an attorney. I'm the last guy who gets paid. My client, they tell me about the doctors, >> but the the board will at some point be

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considering uh some additional teeth when when folks don't pay the municipal cannabis. Well, I actually I would push back and say I think you should lighten it up. >> And you know, we we appreciate that. >> Uh I mean, I get it. I mean, you know, it's a new business, right? And you

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know, uh you know, to be a stickler the way we are. I mean, there there's there's people selling just as much weed u as we're selling in illegal spots and they pay no taxes. >> Agreed. >> They get to run in in in a you know,

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free of having anyone show up. You know, you're sure you come out and you grab some weed every seven, eight months, you don't come back for another seven, eight months, it's worth it. >> Well, I think you're going to see that change. The new mayor understands that. Uh,

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>> the 2% that's going to the board of education to teach children uh being denied and businessmen like yourself who've spent all this time working uh are hurting. You can't compete with $15 an eight. >> You you sure you sure can't, right? And then with the other competition of the

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legal dispensaries open with the illegals and I'm in the middle of it, you know, it became so I I I really think that this city should be just a little bit more understanding of the challenges of what it was. It's not uh as cleancut as we thought it was

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going to be at the beginning or you know as rosy and you know we're just cranking money out. It's not that. So, it's um you know, it's a challenge like any other business to make sure you stay up on top of your bills and your taxes and you know, we do the best we can.

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>> And there's some recent uh legislation. In fact, Maynard and myself are going to I've got a presentation for him to see how we can shut down some of the vape shops. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> We finally there's finally some teeth. >> Well, that's good. It's good to hear. >> All right. Uh so I'm assuming that the

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initial analysis of what your profit margin was going to be has decreased. >> Yeah, it has. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> I can sympathize with you, but I think that moving forward there's a new administration that understands that and I think that uh that we're going to get

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some things done. >> Okay. Uh are there any other questions? I'll open it up to the public for any comments. Seeing no comments, we can close that portion out. Um, and I'll entertain

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discussions uh on this application for renewal uh and a motion. Any comments? Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Is there a second? >> Okay, we have a And by the way, the

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motion, just to clarify, the motion is to approve renewal. Okay. Little technicality. >> Yeah. Yeah. There you go. Uh, okay. Could you call the vote, please? >> Chairperson Kaplowitz, >> I vote yes. And I hope that things get

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better for you. >> All right. >> Commissioner Naparoski, uh, vote yes. >> Commissioner Stoll, >> vote yes. >> Commissioner Pepe, >> vote yes. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Good luck. >> All righty.

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Okay, next one is legacy, right? The next case is legacy to to lifted CCB22-26 at 490 Westside Avenue, Jersey City. Please step forward.

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Uh, is there anybody here from Legacy? They they didn't ask for a No. >> Okay, then we're going to move on to the next one and uh we'll send them a letter. I think they're smoking their product too much.

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Um, the next item is Ham and Chase CCB 23 43 at 747 Westside Avenue. >> All right, please make yourself uh comfortable. >> Counselor, please enter your appearance

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into the record. >> Uh, yes. Uh, Edward N. Tobias, attorney for Hammond Chaz LLC. Welcome, Mr. Tobias. Nice to see you again. Who's going to be testifying? >> All right. Please raise your right hand. Do you swear affirm the testimony about to give the truth, the whole truth, and

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nothing but the truth? So, I help you God. >> Yes. >> Please uh state your name, spell your last name, and give us your address. >> Charles Peters, P Rs, 747 Westside Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey, 7 073306.

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>> You're a witness, Mr. Tobias. >> Uh yes, Mr. Peters, if you could uh just kind of you heard the last testimony. If you could just kind of uh uh give your input as to how your experience has been over the last year and any any things that you could do to to improve or or or

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>> or or just uh you know, abide by the board >> and also include what you promised at your first hearing and how you've you know gotten to this point with those promises. >> So, it's been it's been interesting. You

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know, we've had a lot of ups and downs. I mean, we had the great amazing feat of getting open, but you know, we paid rent for three years prior to it. So, we didn't have the cash that everyone had, so we had to pretty much starve

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ourselves and make it this far. Um, you know, I agree with the gentleman that went prior to us because, you know, it was such a great amazing feeling coming in this room, getting awarded this license, and then the day we opened, we saw the reality of

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the margins just aren't what we thought they were going to be. Um, then it wasn't just I wasn't I'm not opposed, you know, people having a chance at this, right? But the number grew of legal

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dispensaries and not just the legal dispensaries but the smoke shops. Um, and in my area it's very unique. It's very rough. Uh, everyone we kind of interact with, they don't know even know the difference between a smoke shop and

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a dispensary. Um, I'm constantly educating the public. Uh, I kind of feel uh bad because, you know, we come off a little snarky because I can't let a gentleman >> your age walk in without presenting me

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an ID and they take offense to that. >> Um, excuse me. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> I love it when somebody proves me. >> Yeah. >> You would I haven't heard that in years, by the way. It's >> I'm like, don't you want to proof me? I would love for you to come in and do

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that to be honest. >> I prefer scotch, but >> but um No, I get everything. I mean, I've been threatened several times. >> Really? >> Yeah. Yeah. So, it's just, you know, it's it's trying, you know, I'm I'm very

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much in the public. Like, we gave away 50 turkeys our first year when we had nothing. We were barely paying ourselves, right? and we gave away 50 turkeys and then we gave away well over 200 toys for uh Christmas and stuff like

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that. And we love being a part of the community. I get out there and I clean the street every day. >> I compliment you on that because a lot of people don't. >> But I do that every day because I want a better experience for the people that come and shop. >> I want to attract other customers. I

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don't want them to feel uh discouraged because there's other people out there that don't want you to come shop with me because that happens. They'll walk up and give them a a eighth for free. How how can I compete with that? You know, um

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if they were all going underneath the same tax regulations and had to follow the same rules, it'd be a little bit more challenging. It'd be an even playing field for us. you know, I wouldn't mind that. You know, because then it's who has the better business, right? You know, who has better customer

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service, the product, and all that, but we're here. We're open. We're happy. We're appreciative, but we do need help. Um, we would love for the city to help us cuz it's it's it's hard. Uh, I'm not seeing

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>> You especially crack down on unauthorized cannabis sources. >> Yes. >> Right. Believe me, I've been saying that for a couple years already. >> Mhm. >> And uh it it disturbs me when I walk into a place and they're not even hiding

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it. It's right on the front counter. It is it's it's not nice. >> Yeah. >> And besides, I will say this, anybody who buys product from one of these stores, smoke shops, are endangering themselves. No

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one could sell an eighth of pot for 15 bucks and go through everything to make it clean, organic, and viable to enjoy. Something is mixed into it that could hurt someone severely.

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>> Yeah, Mr. Peters, if you want to uh uh testify to the board uh about the your issue with the um uh IDs uh that the smoke shops are essentially taking IDs uh as a show that they're as legitimate

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as the licensed uh retail stores. And essentially what what I informed uh as an attorney is that uh uh the CRC licensed stores, we can't keep any of that information except for if we have a loyalty program and that would be voluntarily. Uh but the smoke shops are

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taking the IDs and they're scanning them and you don't know where that information is going. So that's one more problem with the shops. Yes. >> Some of them even have the sign on the front to say you got to be 21 and older to come in. What do what do I need to be 21 and older to go into a >> Yeah.

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>> Right. Yeah. >> No, it's it's out of control. And I think that the new administration understands that and they're going to do something about it. And also, uh, it's depriving the board of education because the 2% that you pay goes to educating Jersey City students.

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>> They pay it ahead of time, >> right? So, I I understand that helps educate, but I think, you know, if the city would think about it and maybe think about the operating hours because accessibility is the best ability. If

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you were allowed us to stay open later, we could fight the street. I'm going to be available to that client. >> What are you open till now? >> 10:00. >> Till 11. >> You testified that you would be open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. >> Yes. >> Have you been >> And you want more than that? >> Yes. Do you find,

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>> give me an example. Two >> o'clock in the morning. >> Two o'clock would be great. If I could stay up to two o'clock, >> we have a pickup window equipped for it. We're prepared. >> Sworn in. >> Yes. Yes. >> Could you please raise your right hand? Do you square affirm the testimony about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth you got. >> Also,

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please state your name, spell your last name, give us your address. >> Jamie Ham, Ham M 747 Westside A. >> Go ahead, M. Before you go, >> I want to make sure both of these are the owners of Ham and Chance, >> right? Before you do that,

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>> understood that people later on I can understand that. Do you find that the 10:00 a.m. Do you get any uh >> It's hit or miss. You know, I when we were open a little earlier, sometimes we would get like people commuting, but we had to shorten because we didn't have

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the available funds to make the payroll. you know, if I did have that onslaught of, you know, foot traffic that we were all thinking we were getting, it would be definitely worth it. But if we were available later, I think it would you would see a huge difference because why

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would I go here when this is available to me, you know, and it's it's like you're saying, safe. And then the education part because majority of the clients, they just don't know the difference. They can't tell the difference because they look the same almost. Yeah.

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>> To be honest. Um but if there was education behind it on what to you should expect as a consumer, >> it would help a lot. >> I like the idea about education. U >> I was just going to say that um Atlantic City, which is as similar to us as we're

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going to get in the state, they just recently opened up 24 hours to their dispensaries. Um, and I feel like we are in a position with our pickup window where we could run that type of operation if we could staff it with just

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that window open, without having to let anybody come in or out of the store. We would just work that window and we would be able to handle the street without them having to go somewhere else during those hours >> if that was something that the board was

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open to letting us do. We have that unique opportunity that I don't think a lot of any of the other stores have. >> We don't have that authority, but we certainly could suggest it to the city council. >> Absolutely. Um, >> and that 2% tax would come in handy as a because think about it. You're

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compounding it probably if you just have eight of us. How many wards are there? I'm sorry. Like, you know, six wards. So, if you had even six of us staying open an extra four more hours,

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that would do some good. >> Especially at least as late as the bars are open. >> Yeah. Well, bars close at two, right? >> At two. >> Okay. Yeah. I look, you know, some I don't have a problem if it helps you stay in business and you're not

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disturbing the neighborhood. I don't think there's a problem with that. I know we will certainly approach the city, you know, the council and ask them about that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> That would be good. And I just wanted to go back to what we were saying before about the, you know, the expenses and

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just the fact >> to the mic, please. >> Yeah. Just the expenses and the fact that, you know, we've already paid to date $294,000 in rent. Um, which is just absolutely insane. uh because we were told four

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years ago when we put that deposit down that we were going to be one of 10 dispensaries open and now there are 25 I believe operating and countless illegal operations operating and we worked very

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very hard and were granted $250,000 from the NJA grant and that entire grant went to the landlord not only because we had to pay a holding fee that entire time because we were required to have property control, but

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then Jersey City put us on hold for a year where we had to continue paying very high predatory rent that's now putting us out of business and we're facing litigation with that landlord because we can't afford it and that operations money would have kept us

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going and we had to pay it all to him. So, we're in tough shape right now >> and I and I fully appreciate what you're going through. Uh, I sat through all those meetings as you remember me and you know it's frustrating from our point

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of view also that it took so long. I mean, you know, it was not planned out well and uh the people who planned it are no longer here. They thought they were going to move someplace else and we're stuck with that the problems and

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hopefully that we could and that's why I'm asking these questions because we all agree that we want to make it a better, you know, format that you guys can survive. I want to see the locals survive more than the multi-state operators. Well, a big thing that would

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help that would be alleviating this $15,000 annual fee that's putting, you know, we're due for that next month and we don't have it. So, you know, if you look at our taxes that we've paid on time every single quarter, we're not

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making the money to do it. So that's something that should be looked at overall and maybe look at what people's finances are and do it in a tiered, you know, if people are doing over a certain amount of revenue, fine. But if we're not to expect us to be able to pay that

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to stay open, it's just too much. >> One win-win for the the city is even though we paid uh a great deal of of money in rent income, uh a lot of that money went to property taxes for the city. So essentially uh the city did

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benefit uh from the rent. So there may be ways to abate or or defer some of those payments as well just because you the city did receive the money in a roundabout fashion from from the uh the owners here. >> Well, I point actually.

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>> Yeah, it is. And I'll tell you uh again I sympathize. I mean I I I try to like make sure I shop locally uh for everything. It's probably rhetorical, but what would be a reasonable annual fee? Not suggest that this board has

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absolutely no control over what those fees are. That's an ordinance by the city council. But what >> I would say a percentage of our annual revenue or a profit. >> I would say nothing in the first couple years. >> We're not even paying we're not even making payroll. We can't even pay

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ourselves. We >> you know, >> I'm there 70 hours a week. you know, I don't see my kid. >> And I I think that we have to take a look at it and if we talk among ourselves and try to convince the

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elected officials who are facing a $250 million deficit and we're all going to get hit with that. Uh maybe there is a progressive way of dealing with fees based upon the size of the business and the proof of your

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income tax, you know, your 10, you know, your uh 1040s that can justify what your expenses are and what your income is and you know and as you grow you'll pay more, >> right?

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We were hoping the landlord would see the same and work with us too, but >> well that we have no control. Would it be possible for the board to con to put into consideration the amount of time people have been paying rent on an empty store?

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>> You know something? I I don't think that we're going to see any new operations. I think it's it's maxed out and I think that uh there was no way of stopping it when we

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were first through this in 22 23 24. Um and I I and I I don't see how anybody could actually make a go of it if they came in today. Uh so Arnold and forgive me I didn't quite understand what you're saying. Are you

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suggesting that maybe the board tries to do some rent control for >> No, what I'm suggesting is that we give uh the council a very thorough understanding of exactly what the problem is. >> Um the council just gave themselves

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raises. They have been collecting um on the property taxes that these people have been paying without being able to do their business. Jersey City put people behind for at least a year. There has to be some kind of accountability for that and

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>> hence waving perhaps the annual fee for a year, two years >> make the annual fee wave for the amount of time people were left out there stringing in the wind days. >> I understand. Thank you. >> I would support that. >> That's a wonderful suggestion. >> You know, in the scheme of things, if it

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helps, you know, the small operators, I'd be in favor of that. I don't know if I'll be honest with you, I don't know if we can convince anybody above our pay grade, which is zero. Uh >> and additionally, >> but I would I would definitely advocate for that, >> right? And additionally, you know, if if

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uh you know, we can keep the small operators in in business uh for a little while longer at least, you know, the federal government, you know, might uh be able to alleviate some of the 280 tax issues, too, by moving cannabis from schedule one to schedule, >> right? I mean, under the present uh

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format, uh you can't deduct any of your business expenses to, you know, to get down to net income. You're paying on gross income and gross expenses. >> I think the only thing we can do is security. >> Yeah, there's there's some uh CP,

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>> right? Yeah. Um >> and most of us aren't running >> sharing that guard anymore. >> Say, sir, >> and most of us aren't running arm guard anymore because it costs too much. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> It costs way too much. >> Well, you bring an interesting point. Uh, have and you did say in a couple of

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instance people who came in didn't want to give you their cards, but have you found anybody who you felt threatened by? >> I mean, they get upset. I mean, I'm I don't feel threatened. >> Well, I I that I can understand. >> I I I

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>> I've felt intimidated. I have before, though. >> I've felt intimidated before. >> Have you? >> I just I I think like we I I just recognize kind of like my peers, right? And you know, some of them just don't know. They just don't know. And they just take offense to it. And some of

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it's ignorance, but some of it people just don't know. >> So you you kind of just have to educate them. I try to beat them with kindness and education. And you know, we live in Jersey, so not everyone's the nicest sometimes, but >> understatement,

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>> you know. Um, but again, if we if we can just get like some reprieve and like we don't mind working for it, you know. That's why I said even you let us stay open later. >> Yeah. You know, I have to say uh under the new administration, the previous administration had a war mentality when

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it came to policing that it was a foreign force stationary in certain places as you know Ford F or whatever. Uh and now going back to the old school of like having walking cops, cops on bikes already, >> huh?

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>> I've seen it already. So, you know, maybe and I I would suggest that go around to the other merchants on the block. You're you're now established as, you know, a merchant there and you want to have a meeting with the the police,

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you know, division direct uh person and ask for the cops to do more walking and stopping in in every store. you know, a you'll be able to help them if you know someone's a problem in the area and they'll be able to help you be by being

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visible, you know, and that would leave you alleviate having an armed gardens on site. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I I mean >> it's >> it's a new it's a new day. Let's see what we can have. >> Yes. I agree. I agree. It's just, you

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know, doing like I like I go to a lot of the community meetings and I listen to the community around me and they complain about the same thing. The mom that pushes her kid in the stroller doesn't like the same things that I don't like, right? So, I don't really have to be that vocal if they just if you just literally sit in some of these

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meetings, you'll hear verbatim almost, >> right, >> what I'm saying. So, >> it's always good to voice. No one's ever accused me of keeping my mouth shut. I did want to bring one other thing up while we have your attention. Sure. >> Um,

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>> right after we were approved years ago, um, another dispensary was approved right next door to us. We share a wall. >> 747 and 749. >> Okay. >> Um, I think >> I still want to bring it up. No, I still

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want to bring it up. Um, so they never moved forward with opening. Um, which was great because that would have been ridiculous. Um, however, it's come to light that they are now trying to sell that location, that license um, in a

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fire sale for $49,000. >> Hold it. In my understanding, I'll let >> our understanding they can't sell until they're open for two years. They can only sell up to 49%. >> There's worker wearons around. There's there's management services agreements. There's ways around that. And there was

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an offer made for someone to go ahead and purchase that. And they were told that they spoke with the CCB and were told that this new buyer would not need to go through the approval process again. >> That's not right. >> That is a lie. >> Uh that that has not happened.

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>> We haven't had that conversation in that ward is do do we know? >> I think it's probably about six. Well, the new ordinance is eight per ward. >> Eight per ward. >> Um I don't have the numbers off the top of my head on how many are in that ward, but that there have been some >> But they were already approved.

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>> Yes, but there's also some opening. >> Yeah. But there's also been some conversation. I can't get into a lot of details on how long are we going to allow these businesses to not move forward because we've actually sent out questionnaires getting updates on what's the status like where do you stand? is

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is is are you being held up at the state? Are you in the buildout process? And the new council members are really focusing on what's happening with these, you know, resolutions that are just sitting out there. So, I mean, I do expect to see some changes. Um, I don't

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know exactly what that will be at this time because, you know, it's a brand new administration and we have to look at what we can do legally with some of these businesses that have not moved forward. And some have uh told us that they were moving forward and later on we found out from the landlord that they

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really had been evicted from the place from one one particular place. I won't name the the address. So we are looking to move on making the change there where they're actually going to lose the resolution. >> So one one of the things that the board may indeed recommend as an ordinance

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change is that your resolution of support expires in x amount of months if you don't do anything. and and if they sell out to another uh party or another company or another LLC, uh it's my understanding that they have to start

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the um the process all over. They're not just going to pick up somebody else's approval. >> Well, we're not bringing up we're not even accepting any new applications, >> right? And they just can't come in and say, "Well, we were we were approved to back in 2023 and these people are now going to open. We're not going to allow that."

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>> No, it's different. It's >> Well, that's what I would think. But they were told no by whoever they spoke to that they were good to go. >> I can guarantee you, but they didn't speak to anyone. A real voice here. >> Yeah. You definitely didn't speak to anyone in in my office. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Right.

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Um, any questions? Any questions? Anybody in the public would like to make a a statement u or have any questions? Seeing none. Um, is there a motion on the table for approval? Nonapproval.

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>> Motion for approval. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Please call the vote. >> Chairperson Kapowitz. >> Uh, yes. >> Commissioner Naparoski, >> yes. >> Commissioner Stoll, >> yes. >> Commissioner Pepe, >> yes. >> Motion carries. Uh, some very good

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suggestions. We thank you and certainly the board will take them under consideration and some of them may be suggestions to the governing body to change the ordinance. >> We're going to fight for it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Okay, that's

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that is legacy. So the next one is Chase. >> No, that's >> that's the one we just did. I apologize. Um, Jersey Leaf. >> I didn't either. >> All right. Good evening. Who's going to be testifying?

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>> I'll testify. >> Yes. Yeah. Uh let the record reflect that uh Commissioner Naproski is recused on this application. He's left the deis and he's having a seat in the gallery. Uh please raise your right hand. Do you swear swear affirm the testimony about to give the truth, the whole truth, and

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nothing but the truth to help you God? >> Yes. >> Put your hand down. Please state your name, spell your last name, and give us your address. >> William Pena. Last name spelled P E N A. Address is 554 Westside Avenue 07304. >> Correct. Right. >> Jersey Leaf. >> Okay. What would you like to tell the

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board, sir? >> Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on. >> Now, here's the question. >> We have not have a quorum now >> because if they um >> Yes. >> No. Um, >> no. As long as

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>> Oh, boy. >> Yeah. I mean, the the city actually pulled me on that one, even though I'm of the opinion if someone is recused, they're still part. I mean, we had a quorum when we started the meeting, but you're right. All right. So, I I'm

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sorry. We no longer city council has yelled at me several times. Uh so, um if there's less than four people sitting up here, we don't have a quorum and we cannot proceed uh with your application. >> I have a little bit of a different take.

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As long as there are four people here to start the meeting and and and somebody recuses themselves, but um they're my bosses. I listen to what they say. So, unfortunately, we cannot hear your application. I'm sorry. >> We'll move you to the 27th of April. You can still operate.

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>> All right. >> We can still operate though, right? >> Yes. >> All right. Right. >> We'll put you on. Can we put them on first? >> Yes. >> The only problem we're going to have if he's going to continue to recuse himself, they're not going to have a >> No, no, no. He's coming back just for this application. >> Next month.

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>> Next month is here, then we'll have >> Patrick is here, right? >> Okay. Uh, we'll put you on for next month. You can still operate. >> It's not going to slow up anything. All right. I mean, it's this is our fault. We all >> the application fee could get paid next

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month >> or it needs to get paid right now. >> I'm just saying. You know what I mean? >> All right. I'll let the boss uh answer that question. >> All right. >> All right. Cool. >> We're renewing it right now. So it should uh we up on the agenda for the

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end of this month with the state >> 31st. >> 31st. So >> 31st. >> Yeah. Our license renews in April. April what? >> It renews April. Expires April. >> There there is some case law that suggests a board can't make a decision

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with less than a quorum. >> No. We started the meeting. We had a quorum. >> It's all right. We understand. Things happen all the time. >> Good. Yeah, your license expires on the 13th. >> Yeah, the 13th. Still have time.

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>> All right. Okay. >> On the 27th. >> The 27th email. >> All right. >> All right. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Sorry, gentlemen. >> Thought you can still operate. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. We apologize. >> Okay. That's leaf and green stop is uh

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basically adjourned. >> Uh >> higher ground. >> Higher ground. uh higher ground here. >> Oh, they moved to the 27th also, right? >> Okay, so the next one is Prime Genetics >> on 26 Cornelson Avenue.

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>> Good to have you back. >> Okay, good to have you back. New application, >> right? This is H for cultivation. >> Yes. >> Okay, let me call it first. Hold on. Uh, >> Prime Genetics LLC CCB 26-862

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26 Cornel St. Avenue, Jersey City. It's a class one and class two cultivation and manufacturing. >> Please raise your right hand. The firm the testimony about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So, help you got >> I do. Have a seat. Uh, please uh state your name, your last name, and give us your address.

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>> Yes. Uh, my name is Steven SN. Last name is Lei L E. address is 26 Cornelison, Jersey City, New Jersey 07304. >> What would you like to tell the board? >> Before we do that, you're a resident of New Jersey. >> Jersey City also born and raised.

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>> Okay. >> I still live on the same block. >> You really? >> Yeah. In the same house. >> Wow. Good for you. >> Uh good evening, commissioner, chairperson, uh council. >> Oh. Uh just so that the record is clear,

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I am indeed uh in receipt of your uh notice of publication and um notices to residents within 200 ft of the subject property. >> Correct. >> Jurisdiction because the the rules have changed. Jurisdiction is now vested in

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the board to hear this application. So I'm sorry for the interruption. Go ahead. >> Um any questions uh you want me to answer or anything? >> So I need clarification. I was confused. Uh I I know the building well. >> Yes. >> Uh and I know that you're taking the

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full 35,000 square feet. >> Correct. >> And that you're using it for nine >> uh planting >> bow rooms. Correct. >> Correct. >> So I need you to discuss further. Uh your application shows that you're 100% owner.

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>> Yes. Correct. But there's an affidavit of liquidity and financial capacity that states Eric Alexander is an investor and guaranteeer for 12 months of expenses. >> Well, that doesn't state his is he a partner of you? Is he a mortgage?

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>> No, he's not a partner. He's a credit line. So, he's giving me a credit five-year credit line on the uh on the buildout. Uh once we get approval, he opens the credit line for five years at 0% interest for me to

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start my business. >> Sweet. >> So I'm sorry before we go any further, forgive me. Uh so uh may I call you Steve? >> Yes. >> Steve, I've got an indication that Rose is your >> Yes, it was last minute. So Rose can't

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represent me tonight since it was last minute and we couldn't coordinate correctly. Uh, she >> you have no no objection to going forward without an attorney. Correct. >> I have no objection. Correct. >> You agreed to anything then? >> So, you know, I I also my family owned a

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restaurant on Newark Avenue, uh, Saigon Cafe. We've been there 27 years. >> So, we're long-term residents. >> Please go into more detail about And again, uh, he has no his authority over your

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operations. no authority at all. Uh I I control everything 100%. He's a good friend of mine that it was an executive at Uber that's helping me to start my business as a thank you gesture. >> Okay. Uh

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All right. So he has absolutely zero influence over you, zero participation in the in the business, in the profits or anything else. >> Correct. Uh but he does have the ability to foreclose on you. >> Yes. Well, not foreclose, but if I don't

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pay the line of credit, you know, like it's a line of credit, you know. So, uh with 0% interest, he's taking a gamble on me, >> right? >> Is he asking for any collateral? >> No collateral at all. >> Yeah, I saw that in the document. No collateral. uh

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and I hope you succeed because cultivation in town is an important factor in my opinion uh for business here. But with that said, >> uh you're the one that's on the record with the state of New Jersey and with us as 100% yes owner. Yes.

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>> Uh nothing in his agreement and I couldn't see it, but maybe you can clarify. There is no way that he could take over your business. >> There's no agreement with him. Nothing. just a credit line of credit and with that it's just like paying off a credit card bill you know he g he gives me the

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funding as a line of credit with stipulation of what I use it on with receipts you know so once we start the build out phase and hiring contractors uh working with PSEG TRC group energy

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and he releases in phases for me until I start up and running and then pay him is okay. Uh last question regarding this and then we'll move on to other things. Um is there a minimum and maximum on the

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credit line that he's given you? Because my understanding is to create, you know, you're doing about out of that 35,000, you're probably doing what about 30 about 25 30,000 square feet that's going to have to be totally renovated to create

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>> the you know the growing facility. >> So the maximum on the credit line he's giving me is $5 million. >> Okay. >> All right. because I took into calculations of all the uh rebates from PSEG, TRC group, Donnelly and working

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with the state on energy efficiency. >> So we took I took that into calculation when I proposed the business plan to him and he say okay I give you a credit line of $5 million for you to start your business and then to pay him back within five years. >> Okay. With that said, walk us through

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the entire project uh of uh planning it out, how each floor will be planned out, how many employees that you're going to have, uh and um the facilities that you're putting, all the the electric, the water, uh the time for growth, and

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how much you you'll be producing and selling in uh a normal uh month. The uh plants mature. All right. So, >> and also if it's just flour or if it's also going to be gummies, ed edibles or

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and uh um vapes, you know, oil. >> All right. So, on the first floor is, you know, we have our locker rooms, security, uh we also have a manufacturing uh facility that we we're applying for part of license. It's a

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room just to make pre-rolls and solventless rosin which doesn't require hydrocarbons. So, we not doing anything with CO2, ethanol, propane because we don't want to blow up. >> Exactly.

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>> Uh and then the main floor also is the drying room. Uh there's going to be a mother room that contains a plant for like mothering. Now, we go to the second and third floor. That's the vegetative room and then the flower room on second and third

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floor. Uh I've been in contact with uh Donnelly engineering which is uh Donnelly engine energy energy group and our MEP engineers is drawing up all the plans for the state. Uh so odor mitigation

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our odor mitigation is uh we're using carbon scrubber with three types of filtration on top that with heper and pre filters on top with ozone inside the duct so no odor released to the neighborhood which is the most important

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thing. uh projection conservative on the low end. We could see that my friends from Nura out of California, they projected with all the lighting and equipment and dialed in. First year on

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the low end, we could produce about 4,000 to 4,700 lb, maybe 6,000 in that ball range. Uh market pricing, so we don't know how the price going to go. It could sell for $500 today and $3,000

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next week. Who knows? You know, like uh but we put that into the calculation on the low end to the high end of the quality of the cannabis cuz uh I see how the market in Jersey City is people predominantly THC shop where

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they want to anything over 27% they probably as premium anything under that considered not premium like almost like alcohol. Um, >> dirty is even better. >> Well, I understand the alcohol business cuz, you know, we've been doing it for

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27 years at the restaurant. Uh, community impact. Um, I've been in contact with Sister Roseanne at Woman Rising and, uh, Juan Cartahana with, uh, uh, what's Juan Kumba? Sagunda

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Kumba. Uh, great family friend. um with sister Rosanne since she has a lot of she does job placement with women rising and her connection to community uh groups are helping people to get jobs. We want to focus all the job creation in

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Ward and Jersey City only. >> I don't want to give it out you know I live here born and raised here you know PS7 on Duncan St. Mary's High School St. Peters College and never left Jersey City. >> Um

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any >> employees? >> How many employees do you project >> once up and running? >> Once up and running or doing construction period. >> Well, construction period. >> It's contractors, right? So, you know, we deal with either local or whoever's

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uh PSNG TRC certified contractors to get all the the uh >> the rebates from PSENG and the financing from them also. But when you when you're actually up and running >> up and running first year we projecting that since it's going to be a really

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first year to start the cultivation about 10 to 15 employees but once everything is dialed in we're looking almost maximum we could max out at 50 employees at that facility that's including full-time and part-time and including uh on-site security

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because we I've been contact with a you know a security camera company that I know really well and it has to be monitored 24/7. >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah. Because you know like it has to be highly secured and this company is

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actually really one of the best security companies that produces cameras. >> Yeah. About 50 employee max once we get everything dialed in. I mean part-time, full-time for trimming, harvesting, uh how to train people to do metric system, metric reporting because on the

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cultivation level and manufacturing, it's different reporting than a store, you know, like once I move one thing to another room, I have to put it in the system. >> And once we destroy product, we have to do it in front of a camera and destroy

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it in front of a camera for the state to know. >> Right. If I remember correctly, soon as you get the plant, it's given a number that travels all the way to the sale. >> It seats the sale to actually that same number ends up in the dispensary also, >> right? Um

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>> I've been reading that 3,000page metric book. be better. Um, are you going your time frame for growth into drying and into >> So we calculated is if we do it

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correctly, it's going to be five cycles. So it's going to be five harvests a year. >> Okay? >> So five harvest cuz once we you stagger once we stagger the room correctly, >> that mean we will we'll be harvesting >> every two weeks. M >> you know for every room. So it's like

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two weeks per room. So that they consider like in cannabis consultants say that's considered as five harvest you know like you know like every room every two weeks once they stagger it >> correctly. >> Are you strictly going to do flour and then uh sell it off and having them

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other people turn into oils or you going to do the whole process either gummies oils and flour? >> We did apply we we're applying for manufacturing also. So we're going to do solventless uh uh oils which is a process of using ice freezing the plant

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and using ice water no chemicals involved. >> Uh we are building we going to build out a kitchen to do the gummies. >> Uh and then process the process of doing manufacturing so we could make pre-rolls also so we don't have to give it to a manufacturer to do it. Um what are the

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uh in terms of uh trimming as well as in terms of the um resin production? Do you have any kind of uh special uh training programs going on or you going >> that one? That one I would have to get my consultant here from California. They

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run a big 22 acre uh they're one actually the biggest contract growers and producers in C one of the biggest in California. They're they're one of my good friends. But they have a program and we have the consultant will come here and train everybody to do that.

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>> Um and then on the build out of the rooms we doing it as a GMP certified facility. >> So the materials we're building is has to be like GMP USDA certified because I'm looking at the future with with the you know the feds and the FDA.

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Right. >> I'm assuming that at some point not right now but at some point you're going to also apply for a delivery license. So technically we don't have as according to the state CRC >> as a cultivator and a manufacturer we do

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our own delivery and the yeah the vehicle that we use for delivery if it's going to be a van that has a lock cage inside. Mhm. >> So I see how Ascend does it. Elicit, my friend Leo from Elicit, they show me how

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they they outfit their delivery vehicle. Uh GPS track. Uh they're going to we're going to use on fleet as our tracking service for every vehicle and you know like I and plus like my neighbor is Garden Greens you know on Newark Avenue.

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So, I see how Derek uh one of the managers, you know, when they set the delivery delivery person, there's like six forms you have to fill out and they have to count everything and the delivery person got stand there the whole time to make people make sure that the product is correct for or for metric reasons for the state,

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>> right? Okay. Um, anybody have any questions? >> Yeah. Yes, if you don't mind, Mr. Chairman. So, this is a a new application and we haven't had new applications in a while, correct? We we've been given sort of a a mandate, things that must be covered that should

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be put on the record, and you've already addressed some of this, but if you don't mind, I'm going to go through this. um the applicant's community impact and outreach plan and community feedback regarding the applicant, whether the applicant's proposed location serves an

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area in need in the city, uh the current or proposed hiring practices employed by the applicant, uh the applicant or the business owner's connection, which you've already testified to, the Jersey City and the proposed area of the city the facility does or will serve. the

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applicant's commitment to diversity and inclusion best practices. Uh the applicants, and you've testified to this, the applicant safety and security plans. Here's one I don't think we have heard, but I'm sure everybody just by looking at the location, the distance

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between the main entry door of the proposed location and any public or non-public elementary or secondary school building and our parcel, which shall be no less than 200 ft. >> You're not close to any of these?

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>> None. So, the closest daycare is on Summit A and our door is on like pretty much in the back of State Street. And we did a we did a survey, we did the measurement, and when I got the uh you know the the 200 feet uh master list

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from um assessors, they're not on there. And I did send everybody a certified mail. Uh even the city of Jersey City, which owns like seven properties in that area, uh you know, they they they they got it at city

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hall on Gro Street. Uh, and the last thing I want to make sure that you are aware of, uh, Steve, is that because presumably you will indeed be successful with the class one and the class two, when you take the raw

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flour from the class one and bring it downstairs or next door to the class two, you owe the city what's known as a user tax. >> It's correct. It's the excise tax. It's the 2% excise tax. >> Different than an excise tax. It's a bit ambiguous the terms that they use. Some

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people call it a transfer, but it's a user tax. >> Yes. >> And then when you transfer uh or sell from the class two to a presumably a dispensary or whatever, that's another 2%. You understand?

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>> Yes. Yes. Yeah. No, you know, you understand it correctly. uh we did that in calculations uh part business plan plus the C fee for the state and everything on top of that >> and it is calculated based on the value of the product in most cases the market

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value. >> Yes. >> Unfortunately I have not here but I have seen some cannabis businesses tell me well the value is zero internally. Our intra transfer is a value of zero.

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That's nonsense. Uh if it was zero give it to me. >> Yeah. >> No, we understand that you know once we transfer it goes through metric system. I >> I think >> won't put a value. >> Yeah. Won't put it. But I think the city see the transfer once it moves right. If

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they do they do the >> you're going to tell us and in fact >> just like a sales tax you know how we do our sales taxes. I've seen some municipalities request the metrics report so we can see your manifest and then look at what the market value of

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that transfer is and that's the 2%. >> Yes. >> Okay. Great. And uh one more thing I would like to quote on metric we you do have to put the pricing of the product in metric once it's moved >> um not intra not from your you you put

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the plant numbers but when you transfer from class one to class two there's no dollar amounts there when you sell it to the dispensary there is. >> Yes. >> Really? They would. >> Yeah. So like whatever we we do the >> it's our company so we're not going to you know

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>> the value is zero to us. It's our company. >> That makes sense. Yeah. >> Any other questions? Commissioners council vice chairman chairman. >> How how long will it take you from the moment when you get all your approvals

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to start planning? God willing, if I get CCB approval and I get onto the city council agenda and I get municipal part, I can move forward with state. So, I'm attacking this as a different way with state because at state I did

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originally had a wholesale license which we let labs cuz we couldn't use it at all. It was just a weird business model that it's not worth investing in. Uh and I talked to state C CRC. If I get municipal approval in Jersey City, state

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will move f forward for the annual license. But once I get municipal approval, then I could do start doing buildout and applying for permits and get PSG involved to give us more power. >> So you're probably talking about before you actually start planting a year and a

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half. >> No, knock on wood, 6 months. State is pretty fast once you've been approved for state uh previously. >> Yeah. The construction aspect is got to be >> construction aspect cuz we not demo. We're building a room inside a room. >> Okay. Oh, all right.

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>> Yeah. So, it's a it's a cigar factory originally. Peroni cigars. Uh they only made it for European market. I researched it. >> I think the building is from 1912, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. Um so we just building a room inside a room. So it's going to be

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like rooms. So all the flower rooms are inside with all the mechanical like the air handlers on the inside outside. So all the rooms are sealed rooms and then exhausting out to the roof. All the ducking is in the roof. So it's not a there's no demo work. We're not

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demolishing anything in the building. We just adding into the building. >> Your growing area is it going to be one tier or double t? >> No, it's only one tier because we're limited by height. >> Yeah, it's a small height. It's uh you know it's you this >> maximum to the beam is 10T but to the

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ceiling is 12 so we going by 10T to the beam >> in the room >> and the reason why we don't do double tier cuz that's a little bit too much work too you know like try climbing up ladders and trimming plants >> right to mention you don't know what >> any other questions

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>> um is there any anybody from the public that would like to speak or have questions seeing none Uh, I'll open it up to the board for any comments and you know um a motion >> and it would be either a motion to

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approve or deny a class one and a class two. >> Is that two votes or just one? >> Uh, one would work. >> Okay. Any any comments? If there's no comments, I'll entertain a motion. >> A motion to approve both. And

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>> is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Please call the vote. Chairperson Kaplowitz, >> I wish you all the success. >> Thank you. >> I vote I. >> Commissioner Naparowski, >> uh, vote I as well. >> Commissioner Stovel, >> I. >> Commissioner Pepe,

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>> I. >> Thank you. >> You saved money on a lawyer. >> Congratulations. >> Actually, I stole all her money. >> As good as his family's restaurant. >> Yeah, seriously. >> Where's the restaurant? On North Avenue. >> North Avenue. >> Where? Downtown or up here? >> What kind of food?

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>> Yeah. Fusion right on the Dickw. >> Okay. Oh, I'll have to stop in. >> All right. Okay. Okay. So, the next thing. Okay. So, we got that done.

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Zena's been postponed, right? Oh, no. We're going to have that now. >> Yeah. Zena. >> Zena. Okay. So, the next one we're going to hear Zena L New Jersey LLC and we're going to hear both of them at the same time and

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have separate votes. CCB2205 uh at 759A Bergen Avenue, Jersey City. That's the renewal of the actual dispensary. And then uh Zena New Jersey LLC CCB22-05

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759A Bergen Avenue Jersey City and that is a consumption lounge. >> Welcome Rose. Please enter your appearance into the record. >> Rosemtos on behalf of Zeno New Jersey LLC. >> And who's going to be testifying? Please raise your right hand. Do you swear affirm the testimony about to give you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing

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but the truth you got? >> Absolutely. >> Please put it on. >> There you go. >> Absolutely, sir. My name is Hayam Elgowi. >> Awesome. >> All right, that's it. You >> want us to spell your last name and just put your address on the record? >> Yes. Elgaw WLY759A Bergen Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey

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07306. >> Thank you. Uh your witness counselor, >> Mr. Algali, can you please walk through the board through your um request for renewal? >> Yes, absolutely. First and foremost, good evening board. Long time no see. Some of you first time seeing you.

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Hello. Uh, my name is Haya Melgi, a lifelong resident here in Jersey City. Still born and raised, still here. A serial entrepreneur, been owning businesses here since I was like 22. Long time obviously. You can see the gray hairs. So, um, still here. Um, huge

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community advocate. Um, been doing more for the community since I can remember, just cuz this is home. So, I think it it we deserve to give back obviously. And, um, yeah, I'm here in front of you guys for our annual renewal. We've we're about to hit one. We actually hit a year

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already um opening and my grand opening was April 4th. So that's going to be our one-year anniversary with our strong opening. Yeah. >> And can you respond to the request that the board made previously of other applicants with respect to where you

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stand on taxes and >> Yeah, absolutely. Um if I'm not mistaken, I believe I'm paid up on all the taxes. I actually pay before I'm due if I'm not mistaken. Um, and yeah, you know, we're up to we're up to speed. We're here. We've been open a

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year. It's been uh it was rough during the beginning, but I'm in a great spot where again, I'm I'm well known here in this city and we get a lot of love for the love that we give back. And um business is doing well. We're on a trajectory. We're on an upward trajectory every single month. I know

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everybody has problems, but listen, I've been selling weed before it went legal and everybody else was selling weed next to me. I just sold more weed. You know what I'm saying? So, um, yes, there's problems, but there's beauty in it all. We're here. We're helping the community, and we have this platform, um, that's

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helping us kind of like elevate this this whole this whole community. >> And where do you stand with your community partnerships? >> Um, I So, one thing about community partnerships about me is I I think I'm like one of the stronger applicants that's super tied up into the city,

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meaning I host a lot of my own events um, in in house. So any given time you can call cultural affairs and I'm asking for permits trying to block off the street. So just just a a rundown. Last year um having this dispensary once we

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opened up in March we did a soft opening opened up from 10 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. just to see how everything went. Uh and then we were able to extend those hours after conversation with our neighbors. Um and seeing that we are not doing anything wrong and no complaints. Um,

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last time I was in front of the board, obviously, uh, there was complaints by certain people in our neighborhood. Um, and and I'm happy to say that we've proven everybody wrong. And every this is not what they thought it was. And and

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and uh it's it's actually a beautiful space. You know, we created a beautiful space. Zena comes from the term Zenia, which means hospitality. And that's exactly what we um kind of give five-star reviews, over 400 fivestar reviews on our Google reviews. You guys could look at it. It's a beautiful place

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aesthetically. All my um all my employees are beautiful people. I mean, they just radiate radiate love, you know, into the neighborhood and and neighbors see it. Um and and and there we are. But again, back to the events. We've thrown stuff like a rock paper scissor tournament uh in in our

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dispensary in the lounge area without consumption just using as an event space where 180 people came out played rock paper scissor for prizes ranging from 21 years old to a 64 year old guy who won second place which was incredible. Uh we did a pumpkin carving contest over 150

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submissions. I've done a block party called Zenium, which means a gift to strangers, which we blocked off the entire Montgomery Street between Bergen Avenue and Kennedy. And ever since I was a younger kid, nobody has ever done that besides the circus that went into uh uh the armory one time, but we blocked off

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that and uh um we did a a carnival for the kids. It wasn't anything cannabis related. It was just a fun, familyfriendly. And people came up to us and were like, "I love how you guys are breaking this stigma, you guys. people thought you guys were this and now you're portraying it as this and that's exactly what's the beauty is it um and

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I'm thankful to have that platform to do such things um and we have a bunch of other stuff coming up stuff for World Cup I have my one-year anniversary we park free ice cream trucks outside we're right next door to the college so um we do a lot of one of the college uh uh one

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of our I don't want to say one of the college uh uh students was on number one on sports center and we kind of like you know he he knew that's where he was going to get the love so it was kind incredible to kind of have that hub in in the community. >> Does the board have any questions?

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>> I do remember the initial um approval process. >> Yes. >> Uh and >> you mean battle? >> Battle. >> Yes. >> And I'm assuming that uh none of the students wound up uh addicted and in the streets. >> Listen, complete opposite actually. I

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think that they're all coming uh for recovery sticks after their ball games and we're like healing them. So it's awesome. So yeah, >> I remember uh talk about the and I know you're doing a lot of events. Uh did you keep up with uh the charitable uh organization?

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>> Absolutely. So I like to team up with them. So instead of like giving donations, I kind of teamed up with all them and say, "Hey, why don't you be a part of this event in whatever way and even like with Mcinley Square Partnership, I'm you know, uh Ashley was there and now it's Chris and we're kind of dealing with everybody in that neighborhood where it's like how do how

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do we partner up?" like if you guys have the CDS and the cleanup service, let me put up the money, the 20, 30,000. Let me throw this big party for this community and you guys handle that side. So that's the way we're kind of handling the partnerships, which is phenomenal because I have the resources to kind of

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bring people into Mcinley Square. Downtown's already made, the Heights is already established, McInley Square is still raw, man. And you're seeing all these new people move into our neighborhood before they get pushed over to Greenville. So, I'm taking that opportunity to kind of show us show them what Jersey City is all about and kind of partner with the with Rising Tide and

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partner up with MSID and kind of like this is how this is what I'm this is my superpower and this is kind of what we need. Let's put it that way instead of me giving you $5,000 $10,000 check and God knows where it goes, you know? >> So, I'm going to ask you the same question and it and I can see that

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you're in a different position than some the previous owners. Yeah. So tell me uh again you know the process you went through uh the expectations and how they are today as far as profitability. >> Yeah, I think the process just to get

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here was really grueling. It was we didn't know what to expect. Um it was kind of like blind leading the blind, right? It was such a new industry so I understood it. Um and not having a cap really does hurt a lot of people, right? With some of these dispensaries are right across from a street or each

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other. seeing four or five of them close already within a year. So, and some of these are my friends and I know they put their livelihoods and they take investments and sign deals that just to get open trying to rush open. I was in this I was in a position where I've had that store for 10 years. I had a a

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clothing store there prior. I ran it for 10 years. So, I had the lease. It was in Mcinley Square. So, it wasn't as high as anywhere else. And I kind of got the opportunity to transition into this. You know, I had the same location. And now cuz I'm in this position, I just rented out the space across the street and I

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opened up something called the Chop Shop. It used to be a pizzeria 99. So it's called the Chop Shop. So I do chop cheese, smash burgers, chicken tenders. College kids are growing crazy for that. And now I also have the store next door where I'm going to do a juice bar, coffee shop. So that's like I call it

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that the Bermuda Triangle. You know what I'm saying? So whenever you come in here, that's it. You're stuck. You're stuck for a good time. So um again, that's what I'm trying to do is create that community. But um yeah, I see the the position a lot of these people are in. Um and I was just telling Rose recently, I think what's missing is

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there's a disconnect between the operators and you guys. Like you guys aren't talking to us on what we really need. Like we see you guys once there's a renewal and then we see you guys when maybe there's a violation and that's it. But there's no communication. We're like now that we're operating, now that we're

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running, we know what we want. Last time we spoke, I didn't even know like how the store was going to look. I didn't know how it was going to operate. I didn't know how the employees, what's going to cost. Now that I'm here, I'm like, dude, I know all this and I'm like, why aren't you guys talking to us? And like >> that's why I'm asking these questions.

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>> Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. 100%. That's that's beautiful. So, yeah. So, I do see um licensing fees are a lot. So, it seems like every time we're we're we're making a little money, we get slapped with another fee. Whether it's the licensing fee, whether it's taxes, whether it's

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something overwhelming. Right. I'm in a pos right now. Now I have over 12 employees going on to 15 employees. I'm la I just I launched delivery and hopefully when the consumption lounge opens up that'll be a whole another um avenue of employees and and revenue stream.

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>> But um what I'm seeing is just that disconnect like if there's something wrong here I can't like you know usually I'll I'll email Maria like hey what's the right way to do this or that? And she's great with answering our questions. Oh >> yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. But you that's that's the only complaint that I have. It's just

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like there's a disconnect. >> So, one of the previous um operators we talked about that uh would you agree a progressive uh staging of fees depending on >> personally? Personally, no. Just for the simple fact cuz I know like I'm making a

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little bit more than you know the other. So, I personally I look so just realistically look I'm just being realistically right. That's a good thing for Yes. Yes. So, realistically so I'm I'm just saying. Yeah. Yeah. 100%. But I get that's that's definitely going to save them, dude. you know, that's 100% going to save them. So, I would agree

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that makes complete sense on smaller operation. What >> suggestions would you make? >> Um, there's a bunch. So, >> while you're thinking >> Yeah. >> Um, if I'm not mistaken, the ordinance prevents the commissioners from speaking to

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>> Yes. Yeah. Correct. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. Well, >> it was sort of like, you know, land use boards. I mean, the members shouldn't go have coffee with the applicant and talk to them about the application. Uh, but who knows? Maybe that could be modified.

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If you've already gotten a license, then perhaps there's no problem with speaking to some. >> Well, again, in a public meeting such as this, uh, >> I think he means a lot more than a public meeting. >> Oh, no, no, no. I I think that what you

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want to do, talk to the staff, but if you want to come to us, >> I think that this board, which in the past never did, was interact with the applicants and getting feedback to make everybody's life better in the city to

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make this very successful and taking suggestions that we can incorporate into any part of the ordinance is an objective that I'd like to do >> 100%. Just like like before >> I would not meet with you personally unless I walk in and buying something and then >> before before it was like we were asking

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for permission to do business and now I feel like we're pay I'm paying my dues. Now we're partners like we're partners, right? And we just want the success of this industry and success of everybody's business cuz that's the way we win. The industry does well, we make more money, the city makes more money, schools make more money, everybody's happy, right? So

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that's the way I'm saying it. And and again, you know, uh it's a new era. Yeah. It's a new board, very committed to commissioners, uh and we want to interact to get information of how to make it better. >> Yeah. Yeah. For one instance, um I know

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micro licenses. I would love to be a I would love to train I have an annual license now, so I pay $15,000 fees and then for the consumption lounge is going to be another $25,000. So I'm going to be paying $55,000 in fees with Jersey City and the state license. $55,000,

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you know, and then my store is under 2500 square f feet. So, I can be a micro license, but I can't because micro licenses, you're only allowed to have 10 employees. >> It's a catch 22. Now, if I open up the lounge and I want to throw a DJ in

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there, say some some sports say, right? I can't do that cuz I need an entertainment license, but I can't get an entertainment license until unless I sell food. But I can't sell food if I have a dispensary because there's no food or beverages. Yeah. >> So, we're like hitting walls in every single way because there's no you're not

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having these conversations, you know? So, stuff like that. >> But everything moves forward. >> Yeah. Yeah. 100%. Absolutely. >> You take a look at micro breweries. They were never allowed to have food on site and that's now changing. So, you know, again, uh >> we're the pioneers.

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>> Yeah. Yeah. I have faith in it 100%. I'm thankful. Like, trust me, pioneers aren't always celebrated. not at first, you know, and I know I took the hits. I took the shots just saying, "Hey, I want this." And I understand that and we're taking the time even for the fees. That's why I'm not even arguing with the fees. I'm like, "We'll pay it first and then going forward if we change it, if

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it makes sense, then it makes sense." But I think we all have to pay our dues, you know? So, 100%. >> Right. >> Might might I make a suggestion? >> Sure. >> Um, I represent boards as well and I know you guys work very hard. Um, but maybe perhaps the thing to consider is oneonone one-on-one request for

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hardship, you know, and perhaps on an individual applicant basis determining if there is an existing hardship and then maybe waving the fee in that particular instance. >> Would you do that uh with other boards? Have they made the suggestion? >> We don't have the authority to do

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>> No, I understand that. But uh but with that said, did other boards just do it for an initial application or a renewal? I mean, I think in this case, the complaint is right that they can't meet the renewal um fees because of the

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hardships they've had opening and so maybe the thing to do is consider on a applicant basis whether or not they meet a certain threshold for a hardship and then it could possibly wait. Just a just a thought >> for uh reference we heard from uh

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another applicant. for reference to your point, uh, how long did it take you from the time getting approval to actually opening up and the cost of getting to opening up? >> Wow. Um, my my project was a little different

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obviously um cuz we we had a lawsuit with the school next door, >> right? >> So, excluding that. >> Yeah, excluding that. So, we we established the project in September of 2021 and I opened up in March of 2025. >> Yeah. from start to finish. >> If I remember correctly, you came in in

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22 or 23, >> correct? 22. Yep. In front of you to 22. I was the one of the first 12. That was the Yep. the special meeting we went to for the planning board and then we came over here. >> Correct. Um but you know, permitting, just even getting my construction

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permits took me 8 months, 6 weeks just for the sign permit from zoning. So that alone, we were paying rent alone for that time period. It was just it was empty. I couldn't even put a hammer in the wall or nails in the wall. So, it was just sitting there until I got the yellow paper. Put that yellow paper on

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the wall under and we celebrated that. And then from there, construction alone took 6 months and then cuz I read the whole store. Yeah. >> If you feel uncomfortable, I I roughly What do you spend over that period of time before opening up?

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>> Ah, Jeff hurts. It hurts. Uh spent so far I'm in like maybe 1.2. 1.2. I put 750 of my own. Yeah, man. >> Wow. >> Straight up. And it's just like nobody wanted to invest because of Nobody wanted to invest in my project because

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of the lawsuits and the notoriety was getting that. They were like, "We're not touching this with a 10-ft pole." And >> I remember those arguments with >> And I ended up me and Rose Rose was like, "Listen, do you sure you I'm like, "This is my home. I'm from here." I went to PS11, four blocks away. I'm like,

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"This is where I'm at. Nobody's pushing us away." And I put my own money up and I risked it all and here we are. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I I remember very well. >> If you remember, Jean Pino and I went at each other. >> 100%. Yep. Yep. Yep. >> One one of the things that the board

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could do when we decide to take a look at the ordinance and and propose some changes as Rose suggested. We may be able to propose that the ordinance gets changed in such a way to give the board authority to have a hardship hearing and

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then recommend certain things. Of course, the governing body would have to agree to those certain things like a reduction in the annual fee and whatever as Arnold suggested, you know, a credit for, you know, not being open for four

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years. So, something to throw against the wall, it may never stick. Yeah, you could even do once once a year, twice a year, a little meeting like this. You bring all the owners in and be like, "This is this is what it's it guys." Like, "What do you have? Tell us what it is on record. What's the problems?" You

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discuss it and then make a decision that way. But we just feel unheard. You know, that's 100%. That's all. >> With with with that said, uh the previous administration uh basically just said to everybody, "We're not doing

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a board." Uh, I was up for renewal and I didn't get renewed and the rest of the board quit. >> Yeah. >> And I didn't get another telephone call until what, November or December. >> Yep. No, understood. >> So, uh, it's a new day.

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>> Yeah. And I'm appreciative of it. Absolutely. Even with, uh, St. Peters, uh, back to that, like we I've I've met with all my neighbors. I've met even with St. Peters who had a problem with us. It's a new administration. That's what they told me. We're not they're not thinking the same way that old

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administration thought. We're thinking differently. Then they told me, hey, we're actually consumer, you know, we're actually customers of yours. Awesome. We love this place. They told they raved about it. They said they started asking questions about the lounge. So, it was huge different shift than before. So, I

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was like, "Wow, incredible." >> Uh, is there any other questions regarding the renewal? I know we've taken up a lot of time, but I it's very very informative. >> Thank you. Yeah, I have one question in terms of your um training for people. How how do you work that out in terms of your training for the locals?

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>> Awesome. Okay, perfect. So, training, I'm very I'm really good at that. I'm really good at being knowledgeable and and just like getting the right material to pass on forward. So, a lot of the when I first started, uh my first employees were personal friends cuz I

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was like, "Listen, I don't know what I'm starting this store with like $3 in my pocket, bro. where people are giving me net 30, but I know it's really going to be net 90 with confidence, you know what I mean? So, that's the way I approached it. I hired all my friends first. I knew they were going to care about the

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project the right way. And um I trained them the right way and and I trained them and we we we went through our trials and tribulations. we made our mistakes, learned what we needed to train the right way, and then going forward now when I give her I get a new employee, I spend the first week with

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them and then um it goes up to one of the shift leads that trains them from there on. But we have a curriculum that we have and we just go through that curriculum and the SOPs and just kind of um walk them through the dayto-day so everybody nobody makes mistakes. Yeah. >> Cool. So, Hayam, not not a material

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question, but why the change from Medusa to Zena? >> Okay, back at it. Good question. So, when that lawsuit happened between this and this uh establishment, the project gained a lot of notoriety. So, it went on a lot of newspapers, a lot of blogs,

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it hit a lot of snags. And then we, Rose and I, we received a cease and desist letter for someone who owned the name Medusa Distribution. Now, cannabis is a federally illegal substance. So, you can't you can't trademark Medusa as cannabis. You have to trademark

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ashtrays, lighters, XYZ. So, somebody had the Medusa name for all this. Maybe like a cigar company or something like that. So, Rose was like, "Listen, man. You should pick your battles. Do you want to you want to fight both these lawsuits or you should just change your name?" And I was like, "You know what? Forget that name. I can name this

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store." Yeah. Yeah. I can name this this store whatever. And some people will come as long as I have good weed. And then um yeah that's where we at. So we changed it to Zena which means uh Z which comes from the term Zenia which means hospitality. So our core values are the experience we set the customer service we set the Zenia which is the

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hospitality and uh the exceptional quality products >> thank you. >> Uh any other questions? Is there any members of the public would like to speak on this renewal? Seeing

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none, uh, I'll entertain a motion. >> Move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Please call the vote. >> Chairperson Kaplowitz, >> thank you for all your information. Uh, I will suggest to you maybe to talk to

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all the different uh cannabis people and formulate an alliance, you know, lobbying group. >> Uh, I vote yes. >> Commissioner Napioski, >> I vote yes. Commissioner Stville, >> vote yes. >> Uh, Commissioner Pepe, >> vote yes.

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>> Motion carries. Congratulations. >> Don't move. Double duty. >> We're not going anywhere. >> Okay. So, now we're going to hear uh Zena CCB 2220-05 Consumption Lounge at 759A Bergen

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Avenue. >> Great. So, Haydam's already touched upon some of the things that I was going to say. So, rather than repeat ourselves, I'm just going to highlight what we're here for and then Hayam will speak to the the application itself. Um, so we're

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seeking a consumption area endorsement. It would be an accessory used to the existing retail 5, I'm sorry, class 5 retail establishment located at 759A Bergen Avenue. As Hayam has already testified, he's been open. He did a soft opening on March 1st. So, he's already

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been operating for just over a year. In that year period, he's had no incidents, um, no enforcement issues, and he's been in full compliance with applicable regulations. He's now um demonst also demonstrated that he's operating responsibly within

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the community. And more importantly, during this time, he's proven to be a good neighbor within the Mcinley Square area. There have been no complaints related to his operations, no issues with crowd control or public safety, and no concerns related to odor, noise, or

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nuisance conditions. With respect to the facility, what he is proposing to do is operate a fully enclosed indoor space in the basement level of his premises. Its access is controlled through a vestibule system, which acts as both a

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noise and odor barrier. The ventilation system meets and exceeds or exceeds cigar lounge standards which prevents smoke migration to the non-conumption areas. Zena has implemented a comprehensive SOP structure governing all aspects of consumption with my

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client which my client will elaborate on further during his testimony. With respect to community impact, Zena's operational model is grounded in responsible community integration. He has had local hiring with Jersey City

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and Hudson County workforce, diverse staffing that is reflective of the community, and a clear code of conduct governing guest behavior and safety. At this time, I'm going to call Hayam. He's already been sworn in, but he's going to talk about facility design and

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operation, security and compliance implementation, odor and ventilation controls, workforce development and training, and community impact and day-to-day management. Awesome. I'm sorry. Can you please begin by walking very quickly because you did

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some of this. Walk the board through your existing operations and how the consumption model fits into that. >> All right. So, board, I've been open for a year so far. Um, operating uh over 15 employees. I have the retail store. The retail store is a little over 600 700

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square ft um on the first ground floor. It's located on Montgomery Street, but I have a Bergen Avenue address. It's right next to the Metro PCS. Um, you enter my you you go up to a vestibule. There's two doors. One door that leads into the retail side and then one door that leads

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downstairs that's not being used right now. We only use it for like deliveries and stuff like that so that way it doesn't interfere with the customers. Once you walk into my retail store, you're greeted by a bud bar, a live bud bar that we got permitted by from the CRC where you can look at flour, you

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could smell flour. also have displays on your left with dummy packaging of pre-rolls, edibles, flour, vapes, concentrates, mixtures, tinctures, lotions, all that stuff. On your right hand side, I have bongs, glassweares, things of that nature. And then I have

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papers and merchandise merch like uh Zena logo merch behind the register. Three POS stations. And I have four kiosks right on the door. So, it's a nice small store, but it's feels comfortable. Okay. And then there's a doorway that leads directly downstairs.

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You go downstairs, my my staircases light up as you walk down. There's uh cool Greek pictures. Also, the store is Greek themed. That's why it's called Zena. It's so there's like pillars, there's uh grass wreaths, there's Greek busts everywhere. Um and it looks really

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magnificent. Like you've transported from the hood in Mcinley Square into Greece. Really? Right. We so say answer we we have a joke in the store like let me take you to Greece real quick. We go right downstairs um onto the and then you're greeted by lounge style seating.

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So I have banquet style seating that's already installed now and round tables. Now obviously you guys are aware that this was been my dream since the beginning. I've been wanting the consumption lounge before. I don't think anybody else wanted a consumption lounge in New Jersey. Um, the reason for that

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is because my background comes from community advocacy and throwing events. I've thrown events since I was 16 years old. I was to throw house parties to pay for rent when I lived on Mackadoo. So, we've been throwing I throw um big festivals with cultural affair,

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Halloween events, Liberty Science Center after dark events. So, my expertise is in gathering again large quantities of people, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000 with no in no problems, no incidences, no fights, knock on wood, thank God, for almost 20

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years. Um, and they've been very lucrative and they've been very great obviously establishing this culture into the neighborhood and in the city. So that's the reason I kind of wanted to go into from the from the black market into the legal market was because Jersey City, our my home was one of the one of

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11 cities, one of 12 states, New Jersey is one of 12 states in the entire country that's allowing consumption lounges, a place where people can gather, right? Where we can create experiences cuz that's where retail is going. It's not it's not anymore the hello, hey, why are you here? I think I'm doing very well compared to every

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other stores cuz that's one of my core values. It's that set the experience. We have a bar that we set that's very high and we touch it every single time. It's that I want you have to leave our store with with me knowing your name with us being friends with a handshake and next

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time you're always going to come back. That's one thing my team is really good at is bringing customers in and making them repeat customers. So with the lounge that's exactly what that's going to create, a space to gather that community. Especially being in Mcinley Square now, what we're seeing is a lot

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of new people are moving into the area. Cuz once you move into the area, you look for your local pizza shop, the laundry mat, and your local weed spot. And they come to us, they show us their ID, their out of state ID. When did you move in here? 2 weeks ago. Oh, we're going to have a Oh my god. This is your space to meet people, like-minded

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people, and that that's really why the reason we want to do this. So, you walk down, I have my CO. It's uh fits about 72 people, 75 people for the entire building. Um I have two large ADA bathrooms as well downstairs. And I have

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TVs set up. So basically what I would love to do is invite people over once they purchase the product from the retail side. They would go into the um the lounge and then consume their product, whether they're going to eat it, smoke it, etc. And then um and then

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we would throw different events, maybe a puff and paint event, cushion karaoke, comedy shows, things of that nature where we can regulate who's there. See, uh and and kind of set that experience. Um so that's the that's the the the And then I also have now when I also told

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you that vestibule, there's two doors in front. One door that goes downstairs and I have a secondary door that goes directly into the lounge just like an exit door. So, if you're downstairs and you don't want to go back into the retail, you could just exit directly into the street level right outside. And

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those two doors are RFID secured, too. So, you can't get in without an RFID card or or unless we unlock it. >> Can you So, 72 people in both the store and downstairs. >> That's correct. >> Uh, how many you're allowed downstairs?

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>> Well, I could probably fit like 40 or 50. >> Okay. And you have two forms of aggress. >> That's correct. >> Okay. >> Yep. Correct. And then also the way product moves from my store, which is very unique and you guys would love this. The most secure way ever. I installed two pneumatic tube systems

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that go from my loun from my inventory room all the way up to Yeah, that's what I'm saying. This is the cool spot, you know. So yeah, 100%. They everybody goes crazy. I call it the Turpp Traveler. All right. So So people come in, they would place their order on the kiosk or on the

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phone. Um and then the inventory room which is it has uh steel mesh all around it locked at all times. Inventory person sits on there with a c staring at a camera at all times. Um they would fulfill the order, pick fulfill the

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order, put it in a capsule, send it up in a pneumatic tube system. The butt senders then receive it, open up the capsule, take it out, and then give it to the customer. And that's the experience that we set. That wow factor, you know. Yeah. Yeah. So it's really cool. That's what I'm saying. I just can't wait. That's what I'm trying to

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tell you guys when this lounge opens up. I can only I'm doing rock paper scissor competitions for an ounce of weed and like I can only imagine where that my our mind's going to go. Just creating that that culture and that's what this needs. This can't feel so transactional. This h for it to live has to feel like a

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culture and people like me these we're the people. They're taste makers. We're the culture creators you know. So we'll create this hub like yes I want to be a part of this. And that's how we're going to transition people from shopping from smoke shops into dispensaries, guys. It's like because this is why, you know,

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>> there a time limit that you can spend downstairs. >> Yes. So, I'm going to do 60 minutes and then uh if you're a member, we'll have a membership. It'll be 90 minutes. But if it's slow, we're not going to bother you. But we're also I'm also going to train my budenders um and my staff to

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look for overconumption. You know, we can't let anybody in that's inebriated cuz there's a bar across the street. I'm very well aware of that. Okay. So, I want to address that. And right now, we're constantly like, you know, we're not we don't see anybody. They already know our rules. We check IDs every time somebody comes in and nobody that seems

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inebriated ever comes in, you know, it never bothers us or anything like that. So, it's been great. >> What's the square footage downstairs? >> Downstairs, it's uh if I'm not mistaken, it's 1,200 1,200 ft. Yeah. It's pretty big. So, I have my space is the the basement is my space and then the the

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basement for Metro PCS. That's why it's so big. And then I have my Cuz back back in the 80s, it used to be one store and then it got split in half. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Sorry. >> No, that's okay. Um, can you go over mitigation controls? >> Yeah, absolutely. So, I have a $250,000

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HVAC system that I placed um in there and that's kind of why the costs were so high. I redid that whole space. I redid everything from the stairways to the bathrooms to uh the retail floor and even my uh consumption lounge. So I have

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um for odor mitigation I have things like you know it has the constant fresh air flow. So that way the it constantly brings fresh air from the outside continuously. It pushes all the air old air back the entire space it like replaced about every six minutes. So new

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fresh air every six minutes. Um it has a dedicated exhaust system. So, it has blowers that blow directly out and then also bring fresh air in. It has a ERV system, which is like a balanced air exchange, so it uses like a energy recovery ventilator, ERV. Um, it just

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keeps it balanced. No odor leaks into other spaces, no pressure buildup, things of that nature. Has a multi-lever filtration, so I could change the uh the temperature in my retail floor and in my consumption lounge at any moment, just in case it'll get smoky or anything like that. And then it has um those are the

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zone systems. And then um yeah, that's that's basically it. I mean, we turn this ventilation on, it gets super cold inside sometimes. It gets super hot. So, it's like I know it works. It's it's it's phenomenal, but we haven't tried it obviously for the

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consumption just yet. But, um yeah, that was one of the first things I installed because obviously this is where I knew where I was heading for this. Yeah. Mhm. >> Um, so we talked about before how you had issues, right, originally with St. Peters. What steps have you taken this

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time around to ensure that there's no issues with your neighbors? >> So, I've set meetings with both with with all my neighbors and I kind of um I showed them the plans. Listen, I have this meeting coming up. Do you guys have any objections? And they said the same thing.

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We're actually customers of yours and we love what you're doing. We have no objections. This was an old school mentality. This is the new administration doesn't have a problem with what's going on. Um, people like McInley Square Pub, Angelo loves our business. We bring the right crowd

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around, you know, and of course next directly next door to me. I have that space where I'm going to do a coffee shop and a juice bar and I have the store across the street. So, I am my neighbors, too. So, it's it's phenomenal. The Chinese the Chinese store loves it. And then hopefully Metro PCS once they're gone, I could take that

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on, too. And then it'll be uh Heinley Square. That's it, you know. Yeah. >> Your other neighbor is community enterprise. >> Exactly. Oh, yeah. Hudson County. Oh, so they're phenomenal. So, we actually we actually use them for shredding. Yeah. Yeah. So, every every month we use them for shredding and they come to us and

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they're they're they're phenomenal. Yeah. They're great neighbors. Yeah. We're like they they've been they they love us. They actually helped us out when that snowstorm. They helped us out so much. Yeah. So, they're phenomenal. >> Does the board have any other questions? So, uh, this is probably more of a

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comment. Uh, I certainly appreciate, u you mentioning that, uh, legally obtained medical cannabis can be brought into your facility. The reason behind the state, the state did that because some folks who live in housing that is

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subsidized by the feds, you can't smoke marijuana as they would call it, the feds in that particular. So they can bring their medical marijuana to uh Hayam's place and smoke it. >> Yeah. Correct. Because so they can lose their sub they can lose their section 8 or they can lose whatever. And that's

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another thing that we're seeing here. Like what we're when people come in, we're always asking like where are you going to go smoke that, you know, cuz I'm I'm interested to see if there's a need for this consumption lounge before I pay $35,000 a year for it. Correct. Cuz we can't make money from the lounge

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cuz it's only retail. So this is just an accessory. Like I'm paying $35,000 just for people to come in and smoke. That's $3,500 a month. That's crazy where I can be giving that to my that's coming out of my pocket, right? That's the profit that I'm fighting for here. But um I see it as bigger. Like I see it as an anchor

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where we can host these different events, educate these customers, right? Change the stigma really. And that's really it. Like a lot of people don't even know how to roll. Like I want to I want to host rolling classes. Like we can't open jars. Like stuff like that. Just little stuff like that. How do you clean your bong? like you just little

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educational purposes um and and yes opening and then what we're seeing here in especially in Mcinley Square a lot of these condo buildings are coming up and these people can't smoke so whenever we're asking them where are you smoking we're going to walk around the block we're and there's colleges and there's a school and that's the problem we didn't want and that's where people start

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looking at us wrong like well they're smoking because no they're smoking because they don't have a place to smoke it's not because we're selling it but if we had a place you know that could mitigate all of that and I think it'll help out both the medical patients and the recreational um consumers. >> Well, I'm old school and I still

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remember the days when we used to, you know, purchase it and use album covers to get rid of the seeds. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. Who you telling? Oh, man. Look, you're you're talking seeds. That's how Oh, that's how it is. Yeah. This is where we're at. That's what I'm saying. Listen. Yep. Yep. Oh, man.

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>> Anything else from the board? >> Oh. Uh you said you have 15 employees. How many are from Jersey City? To be honest, most all of them, mostly all of them are from Jersey City, but they have to move away because of the cost. So, right now, the only people that live in Jersey City, I believe I have like five

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or six that are from Jersey City out of the 15, but mostly a majority of them are from here because they're personal friends of mine and we grew up here and all that stuff. Yeah. >> Got it. >> Yeah. >> Uh, any other questions? >> I actually hired a student from St. Peters. Yeah. He's about the stars of my

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delivery driver. Yeah. Yeah. It's just so Yes. >> I think that's funny. It's a good work study program. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Well, um, is there any members of the public would like to speak? Please step forward. >> Uh, good evening. Uh, please raise your right hand. You score affirm the

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testimony you're about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth to help you God. >> Yes, I do. >> Just please state your name, spell your last name, give us your address. >> Um, my name is Maryanne Fam. Last name spelled F like Frank. I am like Mary. Uh my address is 1609 Kennedy Boulevard,

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Jersey City, New Jersey. >> What would you like to tell the board? >> Um so I'm a longtime resident um and community servant in Jersey City. Um born and raised here as well. Grew up in the Heights in the Greenville sections. Primarily serve in the Journal Square area. So I'm very familiar with where

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Zena is and that whole neighborhood. I attend church um a couple blocks away. And so we kind of grew up in the we grew up there more than we did where we lived. Do you know what I mean? Um because that's where community was. So um I myself am a biomedical engineer. I

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have a background in in the biomedical space and then families in family med members in medicine and such. I myself am not a consumer but I do have family members and close friends who consume both medically and recreationally. So I'm not coming with um with a lack of

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knowledge. I'm knowledgeable and and and not completely ignorant on the product and and its pros and cons of of cannabis use. So, um just a couple of statements and then I have questions of concern. So, you know, right now as cannabis becomes increasingly commercialized and

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normalized, um you know, there there's also a lot more um potency in in the the modern um manufacturing of cannabis than it was in prior years.

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>> Um and so everyone metabolizes it differently. Um you can't control how things are going to impact individuals as users. And so there could be either there could be um both pros and cons, adverse impacts as well as positive impacts to an

394
01:47:22.320 --> 01:47:37.920
individual when they're consuming. Um and so, you know, different from a dispensary, there's on-site consumption and people who are now um metabolizing the the the substance

395
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leaving leaving the location. um you know and so certain uh vulnerable populations such as um younger users in their early 20s which are considered adolescence in the science fields. Do you know what I mean?

396
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Um as well as people that might have pre-existing met mental health conditions or medical conditions might end up having um you know different issues with the way that they consume it than than others. So, you know, we may say that that's the exception, but if

397
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it's an individual's, if it's your kid or if it's my kid or if it's, you know, my my parent, you know, that exception doesn't mean much to me. Do you know what I mean? Um, so for me, there's and and you know, um, the owner had stated,

398
01:48:27.520 --> 01:48:44.159
"We're right next to several schools se, you know, has attended those schools, several churches, there's several houses of worship, etc." Now, you know, there's no ordinance for houses of worship, but the risk is still the same because you have parents and children that they that

399
01:48:44.159 --> 01:49:01.920
they serve um you know, as a school to me to be completely honest with you. So, my concern is that people are going to be consuming at the lounge and potentially leaving the lounge either under the influence or with the influence or could have certain medical issues or episodes and there's no way

400
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for anyone to make sure that they can drive or behave appropriately or correctly. Um, you know, alcohol is different. Alcohol impairment and alcohol um impact has known symptoms. No, you you know what to look for when you're when you're a bartender. you can

401
01:49:18.639 --> 01:49:37.440
tell if your if your um you know uh customer has had too much drink, you can cut them off. Um for law enforcement, there's tests that they run and that they do um that could instantly test somebody's blood alcohol level and know if they're under the influence um etc.

402
01:49:37.440 --> 01:49:52.480
But my question is, how do we determine if an individual is under the influence of the substance like marijuana? And how does law enforcement then support to keep the community safe after they've consumed in a lounge and are in the neighborhood? That neighborhood has a

403
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tremendous number of families that walk around. There's a it's a commuter area. There's bus stops on on like four corners from there. There's a high school across the street. There's a daycare. There's PS11. like he said, you know, there's just a lot of foot traffic

404
01:50:08.880 --> 01:50:26.000
with families in that neighborhood and a couple of blocks down, you know, there's kids that still play in the street. You know, it's one of the few neighborhoods in Jersey City that kids still play in the street. So, >> so we just, >> so just I want to just say, so your concern is is

405
01:50:26.000 --> 01:50:43.360
uh uh the owner or you know the bud tenders there, how can they determine if someone has hit his their limit or exceeded their limit to uh be safe? Is that your question? >> And let me supplement just for a minute

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that went off because we typically limit it to three. We gave you four >> planning board too. Sorry. I understand there's one question that the chairman has succinctly put. Now I'll Rose, you can answer it. You don't have to answer it, but if you're able to respond to this uh woman, uh that's your call.

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>> Do you want to answer? >> You answer. >> All right. I mean, I think >> I can follow. Go ahead. >> No, I would I would just point out um that there are mechanisms in place to do that. One of them is employee training to identify impairment. The other thing is there's controls on how much can be

408
01:51:15.840 --> 01:51:30.960
purchased there. And there's ways to monitor consumption on site. So, I mean, it would really not be any different than someone who drinks at a bar. I mean, yes, there's other obvious signs of impairment, but it would be the same thing. If no one's monitoring them, no one really knows how much they drank

409
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before they walk out right into the public. In this case, it's a very controlled atmosphere where everything that's being purchased and consumed is being monitored. I also want to add that we're not we're not the first consumption lounge in the state, right? There's other consumption lounges that

410
01:51:46.400 --> 01:52:01.199
are currently open right now. Two in Atlantic City, one more on the one in Newark and Yeah. And you know, so there's a bunch that are open right now and we haven't come across those problems. Like nobody over consumes with cannabis. Like we've been doing this for

411
01:52:01.199 --> 01:52:17.599
so long. People if they overconume they're falling asleep or they're getting really hungry. That's really what's happening. It's not like the bar across the street where they're stumbling out. Like there's bigger problems that you know and this is this is a stigma that I've been fighting obviously for the last four years with

412
01:52:17.599 --> 01:52:32.719
this project. Um but that's what I've been seeing and all of our consumers. If you've ever been into my store, all my customers are not the smoke shop clientele, you know, that's why I don't fight that argument. Um my people are

413
01:52:32.719 --> 01:52:48.880
spending, you know, $40, $65 an eighth plus tax here. So these are reasonable. were hardworking people and for me to tell them, hey, if I tell them, hey, okay, you can't smoke here, they're going to smoke outside and then they're also going to drive. So, it's like I'm just giving them a safe space to kind of

414
01:52:48.880 --> 01:53:05.679
consume and to get educated and to help break that stigma and to change and to kind of prevent what um she's talking about. That's really what I'm trying to do is to create a safe space where we can get educated where some people are used to eating edibles from homemade edibles or on the street. That's what

415
01:53:05.679 --> 01:53:20.800
I'm trying. Right. So they're eating what they think is 50 100 milligrams. Um in a dispensary when they come in and I teach them like all you need is 5 milligs, 10 milligs. This is the education they need to stop this uh overconumption. They come back and they

416
01:53:20.800 --> 01:53:36.719
say, "Wow, I had to eat half of a 5 milligram and I feel this way and that's where it starts and that's how it starts." But if we keep pushing it to the side and telling some people they can't do this, you can't do this. I think that we're just going to go down a rabbit hole that we don't need to be in. So, thank you for the question and thank you for the answer.

417
01:53:36.719 --> 01:53:53.040
>> Yeah, my concern was just to make sure that it's it's um that the risk to the community who are walking in the area because it's a lot of walkers also feel safe. Do you know what I mean? Walking out after, you know, consumers have left the lounge, etc. That's that's my main

418
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concern. >> I just have a question for the owner. Um, just to kind of um, go off of what she was saying, are the operating hours for the consumption lounge going to be the same as the retail? >> No, I think there's there's rules in place. I think um, you guys set the ordinance where the consumption lounge

419
01:54:08.560 --> 01:54:25.280
could open up from noon until 11:00 p.m. It used to be 2:00 a.m., which would be great, but it's until 11:00 p.m., so it closes. And my the dispensary currently right now is open from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. for a year. And we have had no problems. No minors coming into the

420
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store at all. Nobody loitering outside. No long lines. Like literally no violations, no complaints, no problems. >> Thank you. >> Are there any other questions or statements that anybody in the audience

421
01:54:41.440 --> 01:54:58.800
would like to do? I see someone coming up now. >> All right. Welcome, sir. Please raise your right hand. And do you score affirm the testimony about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth help you God? >> Yes, I do. >> Okay. Put your hand down. Please state your name, spell your last name, and

422
01:54:58.800 --> 01:55:14.080
give us your address. >> Thank you very much. My full name is Steven Jesse Pñena. My last name is spelled P N A. I am employee number one of Zena Dispensary. I also operate as an >> All right. All right.

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>> This wasn't going to miss the opportunity. >> One minute instead of three. I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to uh advocate for Zena. Uh I also operate as an entertainer and a freelance uh MC, master of ceremony and DJ. Uh I've been

424
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making people feel special probably my entire life and creating moments for people. And I say with all due respect and full confidence that uh you know in respect to the the mother plant, we don't sell weed. We make people feel

425
01:55:45.119 --> 01:56:01.280
seen. We make people feel special. We provide an environment for people to be vulnerable, to uh learn, to be educated. Uh and we accept all ignorance levels

426
01:56:01.280 --> 01:56:17.920
because we know ignorance is not negative thing. It's just the not knowing. And when they encounter people like us, I think it's an honor and a privilege to be led by somebody like Hayam who uh is born and bred in Jersey City. I'm from New Jersey as well. Uh just a little bit more up north of North

427
01:56:17.920 --> 01:56:33.840
Bergen. But a lot of my grassroots and learning the things that I learned came when I was when I developed a friendship with Hayam. Uh and the culmination of that allowed us to steer the ship in the right way and to

428
01:56:33.840 --> 01:56:50.719
be right here where we are. So, I don't think anybody is more deserving of the opportunity to execute um this proposal at a high level than this man sitting up here. I know that everybody has questions and concerns

429
01:56:50.719 --> 01:57:06.480
obviously and inquiries but uh and I will also second the motion of like hey come to the store come and talk to us come get on the ground level with us because then you'll really see the type of impact and I'll and I'll end it with

430
01:57:06.480 --> 01:57:22.560
this I think we're in a time frame where technology and everything is being created to segregate people and separate people and keep them isolated and we all know how this life thing works how it goes forward. It's by people coming together, right? Exchanging resources,

431
01:57:22.560 --> 01:57:37.520
partnering, seeing how we can collaborate. Uh and that's how information and education gets passed down. We are afraid of the children. If we are afraid of the children, the one thing that you need to give children, especially these adults who are 21 years

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of age, right, who are able to come in and shop, is education and information. The more you tell people you can't do something, the more they'll find the way around to do it. So I again I'm just going to say and end it with I don't think there's anybody more deserving

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01:57:53.440 --> 01:58:10.639
than Hayam Zena and the whole team. We have some of our members here to advocate as well. Uh we fully care about the community and just about people at the end of the day. You know we have people from a wide range of places that come around and the first thing like they said they come and they look for

434
01:58:10.639 --> 01:58:26.639
us. We're on the short list of most important things for people to kind of feel uh to get acclimated into their community. And Mcinley Square is a place that I think is like the gold rush. It's it's a place that still is raw and has a

435
01:58:26.639 --> 01:58:42.560
lot of great energy and a lot of beautiful people moving in from various places. So, I just want to say thank you for this time, council men and women. Uh all my people here, Hayam, you're amazing. Thank you. Peace and love. We hope to see you guys at the dispensary. Steven Pena, I'm out.

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>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Is there any other questions from the board? Any statements? Other than that, I will entertain a motion. >> Is there a motion? >> Motion for approval. >> Is there a second?

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>> Second. >> Okay. Please call a vote. Chairperson Kaplowitz, >> uh you will be a welcome addition to Jersey City and uh you've gone through a hard time and I remember all of it and

438
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uh it's nice to see that you succeeded and your quality. >> I vote I >> Commissioner Napioski. >> Uh same. It seems like you've done a ton of due diligence. It's actually pretty impressive. I was taking notes the entire time and uh yeah, your your work

439
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in the community speaks for itself and uh you know, I trust this will be a first class endeavor. So, I vote I. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. >> Commissioner Stove, >> looking forward to it. >> Thank you, >> Commissioner Pepe. >> I vote yes. Um congratulations. Exciting

440
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week. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. Awesome. Hell yes. Okay. >> Staying here. >> What do we have left? >> The other side. >> Oh, the other side. Okay. >> So, I'm staying here. >> Another consumption.

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>> Yeah. >> Want to call it? >> Yeah. >> Oh, wait. Please leave. >> Unless she's >> she's double duty or triple duty. >> Okay. All right. So, I'm going to call the next application. Uh that is the other side dispensary.

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CCB22-15 at 36 Street uh consumption lounge. >> Let's just put your uh on the record again. Your presentation on the record. >> Rosemary Matoss for the other side dispensary

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>> and let's swear in your client. Nice to see you again. Raise your right hand. Do you swear affirm the testimony about to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Help God. >> I do. >> Please state your name, spell your last name, and give us your address. My name is Eliza Bvard Rodriguez. My last name

444
02:00:50.080 --> 02:01:05.840
is spelled B R E V A R D hyphen R O D R I guzz. >> Just to keep the record straight, uh, tell the board when you first came to the board for approval and when you opened up.

445
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>> I came to the board in June of 2022. We were pushed and seen in July 2022. Am I accurate? and we opened October 2024. >> Yeah, your witness counselor. >> Thank you. So, um once again, this is an

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02:01:24.560 --> 02:01:39.760
application seeking approval for a consumption area to operate as an accessory use to the class 5 retail establishment at 36 Congress Street. By way of background, the other side is an existing statelicicensed cannabis retailer that has already undergone full

447
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municipal and state vetting. The other side opens it opened its doors October 3rd, 2024 and has been operating pursuant to New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission license. Since commencing operations, the other side has operated in compliance with the CRC

448
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regulations without any enforcement issues and without complaints impacting public safety or neighborhood quality of life. Equally important, the business has demonstrated a strong community oriented model grounded in education, work devel workforce development, and

449
02:02:13.119 --> 02:02:28.000
local engagement. As I've already indicated, this is for cannabis consumption, but this is a controlled extension of an already existing regulated and compliant business model, which is designed to move cannabis consumption into a

450
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supervised and structured environment. The proposed consumption lounge has been intentionally designed to meet regulatory requirements and community compatibility standards as reflected in the submitted plans and renderings. The consumption area is to be located on the

451
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second ground, I'm sorry, on the second floor in a separate level from the retail operations. It includes a designated seating area, controlled access points, and clearly defined circulation paths. The space incorporates modular seating, controlled

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entry and monitored use areas. TOSS has they're also known as TOSS has implemented a comprehensive operational plan governing all aspects of consumption as outlined in the SOPs in the security plan that has already been submitted and which my client will

453
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testify to during her testimony. And lastly, with respect to community impact, TOSST has an operational model which is rooted in community integration and reinvestment. As outlined in and in in its application, the business prioritizes Jersey City and Hudson

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County hiring. A majority of its employees are local residents. Workforce composition reflects diversity, inclusion, and equity goals. And further, the business engages in educational programming and workforce development. It supports local

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initiatives and community partnerships and it actively contributes to broader discussions on equity and small business participation. This is a missiondriven operator not just a commercial enterprise. At this time I'm going to introduce Eliza Bvard

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Rodriguez who is the owner majority owner and operator of the other side. And Miss Bvard Rodriguez is going to testify with respect to the facility design and the operational structure, security and compliance implementation, odor mitigation and ventilation systems,

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workforce development and community engagement, as well as day-to-day management. >> Hi Eliza. >> Hi Eliza. >> Yes. >> Sorry I need to play uh Ebenez or Scrooge, but uh it appears that at least

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two quarters >> Yeah. Go ahead. Continue. I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry. >> Are we referring to the taxes? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Would you like me to respond? >> Yes. >> Absolutely. >> And I'm not suggesting that the board can't approve it contingent upon those

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being paid. Right. >> Um >> that's my opinion. I I may get knocked down for that by a higher authority. Yeah. But go ahead. Yeah, >> absolutely. Um, so we came into operation after 30 months of holding.

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That was approximately $211,000 in holding fees. I am the only applicant or the first applicant in the state that has every single designation, minority, disabled veteran, female, all of them. Uh, LGBT, which is also one that's just

461
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recognized by the state of New Jersey. Um the application that I came here with was for a consumption lounge and dispensary on day one because Jersey City was one of the only municipalities that was allowing for that. They asked

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me to bifurcate my application and there was no way in the world I knew bifurcation of my application would have me here in 2026 to the point that you still have my fees fees that I could pay my taxes with. Um, with that

463
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>> you're talking about the annual licensing fee, right? >> No, the application fee for escrow for consumption which was accepted because licenses you open the application for both on day one which is why they accepted the application.

464
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>> Um, my business model was made and based off of that. Jersey City has majorly impacted the success of all of our business because of their policy inadequacies, the inconsistency, even

465
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stating and, you know, respectfully that he didn't have to come with an attorney. That was a cost that I paid once upon a time. So, that's $20,000 that I had to incur that now is not consistent with the process. These are all

466
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sections of of of pools of money that we lost along the way. We also are the only dispensary in the nation that is fully owned, funded, and led by black and brown people. We raised 100 We raised

467
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$1.1 million to open this store and 211 was in holding fees and we lost over $300,000 in runway because the state approved. The reason why we bifrocated our application was because Jersey City felt there wasn't enough information from the

468
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state to draft their ordinance properly. Once the state rolled out their information and their um their rules or their regulation around it, they developed an ordinance here and the state opened their process. The state's process for cannabis was for equity. It

469
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was for medicinal patients. Everything that council Mandelo had stated before. So with that, social equity was allowed to apply January 2025. disadvantaged businesses is March 2025

470
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and then everybody the floodgates was open in July 2025 because the state was trying to give us a head start so that we can build our business. We are in 2026 that is $300,000 of runway that I lost.

471
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To add insult to injury, >> what does runaway mean? runway is the time frame that we would have made that money had we had that model instituted in our business >> and lost revenue. >> Lost revenue. Sorry. >> Let me ask you a question.

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Uh and I don't discount anything that you've said. I've sat here a long time as frustrated on this side of the panel as you and others on that side. You know, and I think you remember me during those hearings. Uh and yes, you hit all

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the marks of why the state moved forward to, you know, legalize cannabis. Should we decide to move forward? And I'd like to do that. How long will it take you uh to get the approval before you can

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actually open, but pay off pay off the fees? >> Well, the story gets more fun. So after one year of opening, you know, that very high 25 that all the fees that hate them referred to, I also pay the same and I probably have a little bit higher of rent because I didn't own the store

475
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before and I'm also in the Heights. I have two floors and my store was actually a business that was not open since 1970. So we added capital and improvement to that to that building where my landlord's taxes are now $40,000 because of that. and we fully

476
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outfitted which was a a disgusting garage once upon a time. It actually wasn't even zoned this. So we waited for it to be reszoned because we also were trying to make sure that we weren't having any competitors around us. So after opening for one year and it not turning out to be what we thought it was

477
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going to be. This is September 2025. I took a job to make enough money to inject into this business. I then came up on our one-year anniversary in October. I was hit by a car on Van Horn and broke my leg in three places I

478
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actually am not even supposed to be walking and by as a pedestrian by the way and then sold the house on Van Horn so that I can refund this business yet again. So, I also no longer live in Jersey City, nor have any businesses, I

479
02:10:27.840 --> 02:10:43.599
mean, um, any properties here because I have taken every ounce of dollar that I have ever worked for prior to opening this business when Hayam said he was here in September 2021. I was coming home from a tour. That same place that

480
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we all watched just get bombed is where I was serving. And I came home because I had an opioid uh, addiction that was forming and cannabis saved my life. I owned other businesses in this city. I'm very well known in this city. I do a lot of community leadership and activism and

481
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a lot of it is related to education. I'm also a professor at HCCCC and what I ended up having to sell everything here to make this happen. So that last amount in November was

482
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literally so that I can come to this board. >> How much is owed? >> It's two quarters. But when that meeting was cancelled and then in December it was cancelled for the runoff, I could no longer keep up. So this was my last

483
02:11:31.119 --> 02:11:47.520
lifeline because my business was already supposed to have this. So quite frankly, I feel like Jersey City kind of owes me money because everything that I lost, I'm going to be very honest with you. I don't know the time frame and I also don't even know if I'm going to yield

484
02:11:47.520 --> 02:12:04.639
success at this point. This is simply to make my business the original differentiator that I knew that it could be because when I looked to get private equity because you all also know that we can't just get money anywhere and it was one thing when you were fundraising to

485
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start something but now that everyone has seen the landscape which has been solely manufactured by many municipalities irresponsibility it is reflected on the industry and now no one wants to give us any money. So anytime and you have to understand I'm one of

486
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the premier operators out here. I have a podcast. I educate. I do so much in the community and even then no one wants to touch my store with a 10-ft pole as soon as I tell them I'm in Jersey City. So the original point of this program, at

487
02:12:37.040 --> 02:12:54.400
least from an equity standpoint, was to give restitution to the war on drugs. And many of us are not only being harmed twice, but I lost every asset that I've ever had that I won't even come out of this hole. So having a consumption

488
02:12:54.400 --> 02:13:11.840
lounge where there's only one per ward is the differentiator that I need for people not to be terrified by 48. >> So I look, I think that we want to help you. I trying to figure out a way to do that. Uh like I said, you hit all the

489
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marks of why the state approved uh cannabis. Once again, how much do you owe? >> Only two quarters and it's probably >> a number because I don't I don't know what the quarter is. >> Oh, great. So, the first quarter is every quarter has standard

490
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>> want to go into that cuz then everybody knows what her sales are. >> Oh, that that and and not for nothing. That's what I was going to say. It's not even a lot because my sales are low. Once I couldn't function, I actually closed once upon a time and the state came in and supported me. They gave me a

491
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grant last minute to reopen the store. >> So, M Mr. Chairman, I think I I think I have a solution of my mind. >> Um there there is nothing binding this board from uh uh making a recommendation or not making a recommendation for this

492
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applicant and it need not be contingent upon anything. Um, you know, we are not the money collectors. Now, I have no idea what the city council will do because I'm sure they'll be educated as to this deficit. They may have no issue

493
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with it. It's their money. So, uh, I'm comfortable advising the board that we could go forward and not make that a contingency upon recommending this particular applicant. >> I'd like to hear I'm in favor of that.

494
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Uh like I said, uh and you know, most of the board doesn't know me, but uh the staff does and the attorney, uh I fight for what I think is right, and I fight against what I think is wrong. Uh

495
02:14:49.199 --> 02:15:04.320
the system in in Jersey City, uh politically was totally screwed up and she's paying the consequences for it. Uh, I'd like to give her the chance because the state did this to have

496
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someone like her readress the harm that was done to her through addiction and I'd like to see her open. So, you know what is I'd like to hear from the board members because basically I don't make the only decision.

497
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>> As far as I'm concerned, um, whatever we can do to help you, we would be doing help you. Um, I think that we should try and give you back whatever fees were happening um, in those two years before your start. I know we can't really do anything in terms of your loss revenue. Um, you know, hopefully what the state

498
02:15:36.400 --> 02:15:53.440
has done has been helpful towards that. Um, and as far as I'm concerned, I think she should be um, some kind of recompense for the two years and some sort of of uh, I don't know how extension, whatever you want to call it. um that will allow

499
02:15:53.440 --> 02:16:09.840
her to at least get comfortable again and uh regain some of her footing before we start, you know, taking taxes, taking fees, um all of that. Um again, you know, the the the city council just gave themselves a raise because they

500
02:16:09.840 --> 02:16:27.599
understand what the fiscal difficulty is out here. Uh, I would I would like this board to um further influence them to do the same for the the petitioners like like Marie Lisa right here. >> Right. And if the board would allow me

501
02:16:27.599 --> 02:16:44.399
on behalf of the members of the board when her application goes up to talk to the council directly. >> Yeah. >> As uh unified voice of the committee. >> Yeah. And and if you need a petition or us to do anything in terms of supporting you written, I'm I'm more than willing

502
02:16:44.399 --> 02:17:00.479
to do that. Particularly in this case, >> you're right. I again uh >> as a matter of fact, I'm really going to go off. I think this might be a newspaper. >> Well, you know something, >> you know, the system, >> you know, >> there are ways that there are things

503
02:17:00.479 --> 02:17:15.679
that we can do and we've heard some this evening. We could propose a hearing of hardship and then recommend uh to the city council that they uh not seek a particular annual fee for a certain

504
02:17:15.679 --> 02:17:32.080
applicant, etc., etc. I don't have a crystal ball. I have no idea what they would do with something like that, but um I know that the board is intending on recommending several ordinance changes >> and um >> we'll see where we go from there. >> Right. And I said, you know, I would go

505
02:17:32.080 --> 02:17:47.599
to the council and directly talk to them in their caucus and relay the message from us. I think that we are volunteering our time on behalf of the city and we want to see the

506
02:17:47.599 --> 02:18:04.559
residents succeed that deserve to succeed and given the opportunity. So, uh, I think we have the ability to move forward to hear the rest of the application and then vote on it and see, uh, if we can convince the council.

507
02:18:04.559 --> 02:18:21.359
>> I completely agree. >> Any other testimony? >> Thank you. Yes, we appreciate that. Um, yeah. So, why don't we walk through the application quickly? Can you explain how what your existing model is and how consumption fits into that? >> Absolutely. Um so it's a two-floor

508
02:18:21.359 --> 02:18:38.399
facility and the downstairs is 1950 and upstairs mirrors that a little bit. Um it is a separate facility. So the downstairs has one complete separate door. My background is I did 10 years as a military police officer and I worked for the MTA also in the same capacity.

509
02:18:38.399 --> 02:18:53.760
So security is my background. I made sure that we had a vestibule upon entry. And then that wall that uh breaks between where the dispensary is and where um the vestibule is is a steel wall. So that's a separate entrance and

510
02:18:53.760 --> 02:19:10.240
it's RDFI. And then ne right next door is a separate entrance to the lounge. The lounge it has a small platform. You'll go up the steps. Depending on funding, we are really really trying to make sure that we could actually make it ADA accessible. as a disabled veteran, that's something that's very important

511
02:19:10.240 --> 02:19:27.599
to me. But sadly with the model of consumption for the state, it had to either be under on top or side by side. So it was very difficult model to work with. >> Um once you get to the top, we'll have um where someone will check you in and then it'll be really an open space. And

512
02:19:27.599 --> 02:19:43.599
my intention is really to make it more wellnessoriented. I used to own a wellness facility that sadly this endeavor kind of also impacted but it was a wellness business that you know we had um yoga meditation salt cave infred

513
02:19:43.599 --> 02:19:59.680
sauna you know a lot of my healing practices for my own experience and service has been through these mechanisms so I really want to make a facility that me that that mirrors that that's why the business is called the other side it's supposed to be representative of the other side of my life but also the other side when people

514
02:19:59.680 --> 02:20:14.960
say where the grass is is greener. So, um you know, another aim of mine is to continue to professionalize cannabis. Um you know, for many years I wrote policy and I wrote this entire application um

515
02:20:14.960 --> 02:20:31.280
from day one. And I always wanted to make sure that people are educated when it comes to cannabis and that people see that, you know, there's many of us that have highlevel and high professional jobs and we consume. You know, there's a

516
02:20:31.280 --> 02:20:46.800
lot of parents that they're finding ease in this. Instead of coming home and having a glass of wine, they're taking a gummy. So, I really want to professionalize this and make it so that this could be a workspace. Um, you know, we're not really too much into the

517
02:20:46.800 --> 02:21:04.240
events. I really want it to be a community oriented space that people can come and just work during the day, consume, and that we can host different events like yoga or, you know, more integrated wellness. Um, odor control. We have made sure that

518
02:21:04.240 --> 02:21:20.720
um, you know, our downstairs, we've kind of prepped it for cuz I don't have my top build out. Another um sort of injury along the way was that planning was a part of the process and then it was changed along the way. I incurred $30,000 going to the planning board for

519
02:21:20.720 --> 02:21:38.319
that whole process. Um and and they wouldn't allow me to do my consumption lounge because I hadn't done this process yet. So, um I do have a raw space, but we're um we've made sure that the all the HVAC was lined up so that

520
02:21:38.319 --> 02:21:55.359
when we prepared that and then we also have contracted different uh ventilation companies. There's some that are very specific to cannabis called Aerero Pro that are filtration systems to clean the air, suck the air in, clean air out. Um odor, what else do we got?

521
02:21:55.359 --> 02:22:11.120
>> Security protocols. >> Security protocols. So, a lot of the a lot of the gentlemen that were up here um were very correct and like we're not paying for security anymore. You know, when you really look at how much it is to operate these businesses, I don't know about everybody else, but my run

522
02:22:11.120 --> 02:22:28.160
rate is about $75 to $100,000 a month just to break even, to pay people, to pay my rent. And then we have a lot of external costs that that other businesses just do not have, security costs. And then also because cannabis is so new, people are just kind of like taking out what they can. So the

523
02:22:28.160 --> 02:22:43.120
software companies are more expensive than a regular business. Um, so we're not paying for security. However, when it comes to the lounge, that is going to be something that we reimplement at least in the beginning. I'm a proponent

524
02:22:43.120 --> 02:22:59.840
of let's kind of lead with the safety and let everybody get comfortable and see if this is really a need. if it's not a requirement from the city and I don't believe that the armed guard is in the ordinance. You know, the other thing is that there was a lot of pressure that came from this board. There was one woman that came in here, but there were

525
02:22:59.840 --> 02:23:17.280
hundreds of people here at one time, you know, and they all were giving their opinion on how they felt their perception of this was, which put pressure on us to add bills to our businesses that were not sustainable. So now it's not really a risk. Um, I think

526
02:23:17.280 --> 02:23:33.280
I'm pretty good at securing myself, too, just because of my background. But we also have an amazing community that wants us there. They have I mean, I have one of my customers here who has become a really good friend and just, you know,

527
02:23:33.280 --> 02:23:47.840
I'm part of a women's group in the Heights and we all support each other. I'm also one of the only women that own a dispensary in the city. So, that's a thing. Um, what else we got? Security odor. >> Community impact. >> Community Impact. >> Touched upon it. Yeah. Um that just goes

528
02:23:47.840 --> 02:24:05.120
so far. I I'm a part of this community through and through. I sit on the county um the Hudson County Chamber Board of Commerce board. I'm a board of director there. You told everybody to create an uh an alliance. Um I tried to do that in the chamber, right? We tried to because

529
02:24:05.120 --> 02:24:20.800
I it's so contentious amongst stuffs, right? That no one trusts each other. So I agree that we did need that that unified voice and I tried to create it throughout through the chamber but that was also a challenge. Um so I find what

530
02:24:20.800 --> 02:24:37.359
I try to have my advocacy go for because in in a strategic way when you just come with cannabis people are so like ah but when you come with small business womenowned business so we really I try to do a lot of advocacy in the community when it comes to supporting small

531
02:24:37.359 --> 02:24:53.439
business what it means for us. I have a lot of educational platforms. I am an active professor. Um I have alliance with different groups. But outside of those different groups, you know, I think one thing that I've always been commended on is kind of like doing my own thing. When Stacy Flanigan was once

532
02:24:53.439 --> 02:25:09.920
here on the board, she had said that she appreciates appreciates that I create my own initiatives. You know, from 2016, I created Operation Boots on the ground. I did my first tour in the Middle East and I sent over 200 boots from over there over here for veterans that didn't have boots in the winter. That's the kind of

533
02:25:09.920 --> 02:25:25.760
thing that I do. There's a lot of nonprofits in the city and they all do a lot of great work, but sometimes everybody's pulled different places and I feel like when you want to do something good, you just do it. And that's how we kind of do. We keep the neighborhood clean. We blow outside. We send our neighbors to each other. We

534
02:25:25.760 --> 02:25:41.200
help the economic process. And that's really our mentality in the Heights. You know, when the time is right, you can deal with the uh physically disabled by putting a chair lift on the side of the wall. Won't take a

535
02:25:41.200 --> 02:25:58.080
>> Yeah. Yeah. That's the hope. It's the 50,000 bite. That's the problem. >> Down the road, down the road, you know, small steps. Are there any other questions? >> Any other comments that you want to put on the record? >> Um, no, that's all. >> All right. Um, anybody from the

536
02:25:58.080 --> 02:26:13.680
audience? one person over there >> if I could just supplement my opinion that we can go forward >> uh regardless of the uh 2% municipal tax. So the way that that is dealt with

537
02:26:13.680 --> 02:26:28.560
statutoily, it is considered a property tax um and it is equivalent to a property tax. So if the city council um despite the fact that we have recommended uh this applicant, they can

538
02:26:28.560 --> 02:26:45.040
place a lean on the property for the 2% that is owed. So I think that further supports my argument that we have nothing to do with that. Um if they make the decision to do that, um that's their own accord. >> I would like for us to then recommend that they don't do that.

539
02:26:45.040 --> 02:27:00.479
>> Yeah, I agree. >> Period. just recommend that they do not take a lean on this and explain again. And if you need the numbers, I can give them to you here. 2011 in deposit loss, 300,000 in loss revenue, uh the amount of uh things that she's been paying.

540
02:27:00.479 --> 02:27:16.160
Now, don't let them get away with it. The council is here to serve the people. Let's make sure that the people are served. >> I think that uh my position on this is going back to the original uh start

541
02:27:16.160 --> 02:27:30.880
that this law was put into place to correct the sins of the past and if we have and the multinationals have come in who have plenty of cash to take everybody else out.

542
02:27:30.880 --> 02:27:45.439
>> If we have the opportunity in helping someone who checks off all the boxes and was a Jersey City resident and by the way no matter when you leave you're always Jersey City resident. you can't get out of your system. As much as

543
02:27:45.439 --> 02:28:02.000
people try, they can't get it out. Uh I say that we go the full length and ask for an amendment into the uh the ordinance that deals with those special issues. >> Yeah. >> You know, I don't know what kind of

544
02:28:02.000 --> 02:28:17.359
reception I have will get, but uh hey, you know, uh I'll push for it. >> Jeeoff, may I if I can just make one more comment. I actually wrote two economic impact papers to support the city in understanding the guidance from

545
02:28:17.359 --> 02:28:33.760
a very non-biased perspective. I wrote the first one in September which was explaining what would happen in the next 6 months if the city didn't take action. I predicted that ICE was going to close because he also I'm only surviving because of the community quite frankly.

546
02:28:33.760 --> 02:28:50.960
He didn't have the community engagement. Right. >> Yeah. And the bad location. So all of those things compounded. Um the newest paper says what's going to continue to happen because as Hayam stated there's not enough dialogue between what the ordinances and what the policies and the

547
02:28:50.960 --> 02:29:06.720
legislative and the lived experience of us in Washington DC and just because of my background in policy we went places to learn things best practice and I didn't see that here. It was so disheartening. Why didn't we hire an economist to measure what 300,000 can

548
02:29:06.720 --> 02:29:23.040
deal with from from a sustainability and a saturation standpoint? Like what are the other places that have failed and did things differently? So in my paper I talk about Washington DC which has a new program and they wave the taxes and the

549
02:29:23.040 --> 02:29:39.040
renewal for the C applicants which they consider social equity applicants. They have a separate process for their municipal while the state has their process. So while our state has a process, this board doesn't have a process. They have a a will to want more

550
02:29:39.040 --> 02:29:55.600
diversity, but it's not in their actual uh grading metric. So in Washington DC for 3 years, those applicants don't pay any of that because they understand that we need to stabilize our operation. >> Could you do me a favor? Could you send those papers?

551
02:29:55.600 --> 02:30:12.319
>> Yes. >> To staff. They will distribute it to us and it's something that I want to read and use. Yeah, >> we have them. >> Oh, you have it? >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Good. >> Play it, please. Yeah. >> Yeah, that would be very helpful. >> That would be very >> I'd like to read that. >> Yeah. >> Uh yeah. Um

552
02:30:12.319 --> 02:30:28.160
>> any other comments? >> That's all I have. Thank you for listening. >> Right. Uh any comments from the um you know the members here? If not, I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion. >> So, does that motion >> Okay, let me let me I'll make the

553
02:30:28.160 --> 02:30:45.359
motion. Right. >> What Arnold? >> Go ahead. Uh, I make a motion that we approve the consumption lounge with the ability to ask the city to excuse me with the with the understanding that there are back dues owed on it but

554
02:30:45.359 --> 02:31:02.080
asking the city to amend their redevelopment of their plan their ordinance to take into account the um social equity uh operators get the benefit. So, I I don't think the resolution is a vehicle to ask them to

555
02:31:02.080 --> 02:31:18.640
change an ordinance. I think that we should come up with some suggestions and show them exactly what the language in the ordinance should be. However, uh I have no problem putting something to the effect that we respectfully request that no lean be placed on the property, which

556
02:31:18.640 --> 02:31:32.560
is pretty innocuous. >> Okay. Uh so, strike that. And basically uh I make a motion to approve this application regardless that there is no uh

557
02:31:32.560 --> 02:31:50.319
up-to-date payments and we will request that the council well all my requests to the council to the mayor and everybody else will be on the record in front of the council members on your behalf. In fact uh when that is on the agenda I

558
02:31:50.319 --> 02:32:06.319
would strongly suggest that you show up. I will >> and two of us will talk to them. >> So, Mr. Chairman, am I striking that since you're going to be doing it orally? >> Yes. >> Is okay. You're the motion maker. All right. Is there a second on that? >> I second that.

559
02:32:06.319 --> 02:32:22.960
>> All right. >> Chairperson Kapowitz. >> I vote I. Commissioner Napioski. Um, what you described, what you went through was horrific. And the fact that you still want to do this endeavor,

560
02:32:22.960 --> 02:32:39.840
kudos to you. Um, uh, and I just, you know, I really, really hope that this ends up being successful for you. I I really do hope that you that there is some positive outcome at the end of all this. And having said that, I vote I.

561
02:32:39.840 --> 02:32:55.200
>> Commissioner Stoll, >> um, I want to thank you for your service. Yes. >> Um and then secondly, want to thank you for uh being the shining example of of what this is this program was supposed to do. >> Um and then thirdly, um I got your back,

562
02:32:55.200 --> 02:33:12.000
whatever they're doing. Um you know, um we really want to I want to see your story get out there and I want to see you be successful. So, so I on all counts, >> Commissioner Pepe. >> Um yes, I mean to echo what everyone said, I I agree. Um, I think what's

563
02:33:12.000 --> 02:33:28.720
happened to you is the opposite of what any of us want to see happen. I think I speak for everyone here when I say that. So, yes. >> Motion carries. Congratulations. Best of luck. >> Thank you. Um, I just have a quick administrative question for the consumption. It require the state form

564
02:33:28.720 --> 02:33:44.880
requires that it be signed by a zoning officer. Procedurally, what's going to happen now? >> It's a great question. >> What happens? I don't even know that. I >> I don't know how the ordinance addresses that. I just thought a recommendation to the uh Go ahead. >> Yes. >> This is the state form that we can have

565
02:33:44.880 --> 02:34:01.120
signed, but that would take place after the resolution that's approved by the council. >> So, that's going to go to resolution. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And I will show up on behalf of the board and you'll show up and uh we'll make our arguments why you deserve to move forward.

566
02:34:01.120 --> 02:34:16.399
>> Thank you. >> Yeah. If we could get a chance to just talk with you before >> Oh, absolutely. >> Yeah. because I definitely want to read your report and um yeah and between her and and Hay there's quite a bit that >> right >> we need to tell the council

567
02:34:16.399 --> 02:34:32.560
>> you guys everybody can uh formulate a statement and I will read that statement on behalf of the entire board >> so uh I'm reading between the lines of what Rose just said she would have liked to see a resolution passed tonight so

568
02:34:32.560 --> 02:34:48.319
that she can you know move this along for her client >> the state is pending our applica. They ping us the same way that he was saying that they asked about the applications. They do the same thing for us. So, they've had our application since March 2025 and they have an investigator that they have contact us every quarter.

569
02:34:48.319 --> 02:35:04.800
>> Can we issue a letter? >> I have one question though. You said from the zoning officer that signed that application. I thought it was a council person. >> No, if you read the CRC form that you have to submit, which is what they need to submit. It just needs to be signed by the zoning officer of the >> You already have the CDL, don't you? Do

570
02:35:04.800 --> 02:35:19.040
you have you have a zoning approval from an initial application? >> Absolutely. >> Have you submitted that back to zoning to the zoning officer? >> So, what happened is when we first got it, we sent it to zoning thinking this wasn't even going to be a process because it is such a simplified form.

571
02:35:19.040 --> 02:35:35.280
It's one form, one letter. Yeah. So, >> why don't you complete the form and send it to us right away? We'll try to move it to zoning and there's a possibility that that it won't go to council just for that part of um your application just to move that forward.

572
02:35:35.280 --> 02:35:51.439
>> Yeah. Because the the purpose is it's just an endorsement to the application. So the state doesn't require a resolution for consumption. >> But don't they need the city council to endorse it? >> Yes. not just >> so the way that the the way the CRC has done it is they've just asked you to

573
02:35:51.439 --> 02:36:07.120
submit this form if you and and if you read the form it's just required to be signed by the zoning officer so without any ordinance stating you know directing anyone it can if the zoning officer is going to sign off on it then that's all the state will take we've actually had

574
02:36:07.120 --> 02:36:23.600
our ordinance in what we do in East Orange is because we've had a couple of these applications we have a hearing if they're approved Then we recommend to the zoning officer that he sign off and that they've submitted that to the state. That's all they've needed >> and and it doesn't go to council.

575
02:36:23.600 --> 02:36:40.560
>> It never goes to council on >> because the state is not requiring a resolution. They've already the resolution was submitted at the retail part why when that license was issued. This is considered an endorsement to that license use to the actual Exactly. >> It's just an expansion of the drug.

576
02:36:40.560 --> 02:36:55.439
Okay. >> Is time you still the uh >> Yes. I I'll check into it for you. That's why this was we were so shocked by this because we waited an entire year when the paperwork is just a one line and even if we submitted it right now the state having their process and the

577
02:36:55.439 --> 02:37:11.520
city like even if we didn't go to the city council the state still has to come back and reapprove it one more time. So say for example this the the the city was the council was like no you guys onelined it we don't want it we're not going to move forward. the state can still say, "Well, you can't open because

578
02:37:11.520 --> 02:37:27.760
Jersey City didn't get you the final." Because after you do your your buildout and your construction, they come back anyway. >> Okay. So, that's a final review. But for all the final inspection, >> for all intents and purposes, when they get the zoning letter, you're pretty much on your way and you just have to

579
02:37:27.760 --> 02:37:43.439
sign off on >> they'll start moving forward. Yeah. And if we wait longer, right, like this going to the board, it's long. It's probably not going to be next month. It's going to be month after. Then it takes 20 days for the ordinance to come into effect. We're talking about four months before I could even send this piece of paper to the state. >> Now, we can we can actually move your

580
02:37:43.439 --> 02:37:59.359
application to the council within a two weeks. >> Okay. >> It's pretty quick, but I think beforehand, I'll speak to to the zoning officer just to see if that's something she'd be willing to sign because it was approved here >> because I think that's really just an expansion of the you saying that the use is

581
02:37:59.359 --> 02:38:13.359
>> Exactly. Which is why they didn't require the CRC does not require a resolution of support for consumption. >> Great. I just learned something tonight. So it it sounds like their definition for municipal endorsement for a dispensary is very different. Yes. Than

582
02:38:13.359 --> 02:38:31.520
a consumption lounge. >> Hey. All right. Well, hey, >> I hope that this works out. I hope that you finally become profitable that you're not living dayto day. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Best of luck to you. >> Best of luck. Appreciate it.

583
02:38:31.520 --> 02:38:50.880
>> Thank you. Uh, is there is any other anything else that anybody wants to talk about? Good. Uh, >> later than this. >> I know. Trust me. But you know something? This is a lot more enjoyable.

584
02:38:50.880 --> 02:39:02.800
Anyway, I'll take a motion to close the hearing. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> By affirmation, say I. >> I. >> Thank you very much, everyone.