Marijuana Dispensary Near Hoboken Train Station Gets State Approval

HOBOKEN, NJ — The company Terrapin on Tuesday night received state approval to open its long awaited medical marijuana dispensary in Hoboken, around the corner from the Hoboken train station.

The approval from the state's New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission was the last step in the process allowing Terrapin to open in the city. The Hoboken Planning Board had approved the project in October.

Terrapin has partnered in the location with Joseph Castelo, a Hoboken resident, filmmaker, and co-owner of Antique Bar and Bakery, in the venture.

The company expects to finish construction and open in six months.

“This is good news for the Hoboken residents and local patients," said Mayor Ravi Bhalla, "who will reap the benefits of not only increased access to medical cannabis, but also new revenues the city will collect through our medical cannabis transfer tax."

“We are thrilled to be moving forward with plans to bring critical cannabis medicine to patients in New Jersey,” said Chris Woods, owner and CEO of Terrapin, Wednesday. “Despite delays to the licensing process, Terrapin has never wavered in its commitment to serving patients in North Jersey."

Terrapin will open its dispensary at 86 River St. The approval concluded four years of outreach to the Hoboken community.

Bhalla said, of the cannabis transfer tax, “These funds will be transformational as they have been allocated to support social justice initiatives, cannabis education programs, the special improvement district, community policing, and similar social programs.”

The Commission approved 30 state licenses as part of the process on Tuesday, Terrapin said. Delays stemming from lawsuits prevented regulators from announcing those awards and an announcement was finally made last night, Terrapin said. READ MORE: Weed Wars: Which Hoboken Marijuana Dispensary Will Open First?

Terrapin was founded in Boulder, Colo. in 2009 as one of the first licensed medical marijuana providers in the country. Terrapin operates six dispensaries and four cultivation/processing facilities in Colorado.

Terrapin also operates a licensed grower/processor medical marijuana facility in Clinton County, Pa. and in Kansas CIty, Missouri. The company also operates a medical/adult-use cultivation/processing facility in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Nonprofits And Organizations

Terrapin is working with local nonprofits and organizations to "create a beneficial footprint for its neighbors." They are working with:

• WomenRising, a Jersey City-based nonprofit that assists women and families in North Jersey with counseling, economic development and advocacy. Terrapin has pledged to assist in creating an employment pipeline by connecting WomenRising alumni to potential employment opportunities within Terrapin. Terrapin also has pledged financial support to the organization.

• Oasis, A Haven for Women and Children. The Paterson organization’s mission is to change the lives of women and children by breaking the cycle of poverty through compassionate programs designed to feed, clothe, educate and empower women and children in need. Terrapin will work on an employment pipeline with the organization, while providing volunteers in the form of directors to develop mentorships and training.

• Project Help, a group dedicated to serving homeless veterans in northern New Jersey. The nonprofit has been able to expand services to include financial support and legal assistance. One initiative Terrapin has pledged to support is to assist veterans suffering from PTSD. There has been a strong nexus between medical cannabis legalization and assisting veterans, and Terrapin would like to see that momentum grow. Terrapin helped to launch VetForce in Pennsylvania, a security firm for the cannabis industry. Terrapin has plans to assist with a similar program in New Jersey where veterans run security for the cannabis industry.

• Hudson Pride Center, the LGBTQ+ Community Center for Hudson County. Hudson Pride offers a variety of health, support and social services to the LGBTQ+ community. Hudson County has the largest LGBTQ+ population in the State of New Jersey and Terrapin has long stood as an ally to this community. We will work to educate the local community about the medical efficacy of cannabis, especially for conditions that might be relevant to the LGBTQ+ community, like anxiety and HIV/AIDS. Terrapin will also work with the group on a jobs pipeline.

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