Replies to post #2635 on Green Thumb Industries Inc (GTBIF)

[FUNMAN]

Will mayor veto Paterson City Council on ban of legal marijuana sales?

By: Joe Malinconico
Paterson Press

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/paterson-press/2021/08/18/paterson-nj-legal-weed-sales-mayor-could-veto-council-ban/8178657002/


Facing a possible veto by the mayor, the City Council has given final approval to an ordinance banning recreational cannabis businesses from Paterson.

Citing the potential for $1.5 million in annual fees from the cannabis industry, several council members said they eventually may be willing to allow some types of businesses handling recreational marijuana to operate in the city.

By opting out of the state cannabis program for now, council members said it gives Paterson a chance to craft a plan to keep recreational marijuana businesses from diminishing the quality of life in the city.

“It allows us more time to make sure the language is right,” said Councilwoman Lilisa Mimms prior to voting in favor of opting out on Tuesday night.

Mayor Andre Sayegh has been staunchly in favor of allowing as many as 36 cannabis businesses to cultivate, process, and sell recreational marijuana in Paterson. The mayor on Wednesday morning said he has not yet decided whether to veto the council’s ban.

Sayegh repeatedly has cited Paterson voters’ support for the legalization of marijuana in last year’s public referendum as the basis for his support of allowing cannabis stores in the city.

Under the state’s recreational cannabis law, the industry would face few restrictions in cities that don’t opt out or set their own regulations by Aug. 21, officials said. If Sayegh were to veto the council’s opt-out ordinance, that would leave the city unable to impose restrictions on the cannabis industry for the next five years, officials said.

Employees from Green Thumb Industries, the firm that already operates a medicinal marijuana dispensary in Paterson, have repeatedly spoken out in favor of allowing recreational cannabis stores in the city. Green Thumb contributed $4,900 to Gov. Phil Murphy’s re-election campaign last year.

Paterson City Council President Maritza Davila was the only member of the governing body on Tuesday night to vote against the opt-out ordinance. Davila said Paterson needed the revenue and jobs that permitting cannabis businesses would generate.