Four dispensaries are open in Hoboken, giving residents easy access to cannabis, yet open issues remain unresolved. The City Council will soon revisit the Blue Violets ordinance, while other matters—such as Story Dispensary’s stalled license and the Nature’s Touch lawsuit—are still awaiting resolution. At the same time, cannabis tax revenue appears to be stabilizing, though the most recent data is still incomplete.

Blue Violets: City Council considers changing the law to accommodate Blue Violets and avoid a Supreme Court ruling.

On September 17th, the City Council will once again consider an ordinance involving Blue Violets Dispensary. The proposal, which passed first reading by a 5–3 vote, is identical to the measure that failed last December in a 4–4 tie. If approved, it would grandfather Blue Violets into Hoboken’s earlier cannabis regulations, exempting it from the 600-foot school buffer requirement.

Regardless of one’s position on cannabis, this kind of selective change—altering the law after the fact to benefit a single business—raises serious questions about fairness and consistency. It undermines trust and leaves residents and other businesses questioning whether the law in Hoboken applies equally to everyone.

Since the last vote in December, two developments have changed the context of this debate. First, the NJ Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case filed by HRC challenging the Planning Board’s approval of Blue Violets. This step is extraordinary given the sheer number of cases that seek Supreme Court review each year and the very small percentage that are actually accepted. The decision to take up this matter underscores its potential significance—not just for Hoboken, but for how municipal land use laws are interpreted more broadly across the state.

Second, this ordinance has resurfaced in the midst of election season. Council members and mayoral candidates are considering not only the policy but also how their positions will be perceived. Some members of the council may be more concerned about politics over good policy.

One notable shift has been Councilmember Ramos’s position. Last December, he voted against the ordinance, stressing the importance of applying the law consistently to all businesses. At the time, he stated:

“The City Council’s role in this matter is to uphold our laws and ensure consistent application for all businesses. Grandfathering Blue Violets would not just affect one business—it would undermine the principle that laws apply equally to everyone. It could also set a concerning precedent where exceptions are made retroactively, creating uncertainty for all businesses and residents about the stability of our legal framework.”

Those remarks remind us that good governance is about fairness and consistency in the law. Despite this, Ramos supported the ordinance change on first reading.

The final vote is on Wednesday, September 17th, which will show where each council member ultimately stands. With the election drawing near, it is worth asking who is committed to principles of fairness and consistency, and who is willing to change the rules to serve a single business and special interest.

Residents who want to help shape this outcome can stay informed, attend the City Council meeting, and contact council members citycouncil@hobokennj.gov (email goes to all city council members). Thoughtful participation ensures that decisions reflect the long-term interests of the entire community.

Still Outstanding

• Story Dispensary is under construction but still hasn’t received a state license. As of the September CRC meeting, Story has not been put on the agenda for state approval.

• Nature’s Touch lawsuit against the City of Hoboken, Mayor Bhalla and others is awaiting an appellate court decision which will decide if the case moves forward. Nature’s Touch is the dispensary application that was allegedly quashed by Mayor Bhalla at the request of Jersey City Mayor Fulop.

Second Quarter Cannabis Tax Revenue Stabilizes, although data is incomplete.