Township Manager Matthew Cavallo has just released this statement on the Town Council’s discussions with Green Thumb Industries (GTI), which had been seeking a letter of support to operate a medical marijuana dispensary at 30 Pompton Avenue:
In 2010 the State of New Jersey authorized the establishment of a medical cannabis program regulating the use of cannabis for medical purposes and establishing a process for the issuance of permits to engage in the business of growing, manufacturing and dispensing medical cannabis to registered patients and their caregivers. The State’s medical cannabis program is comprehensively regulated by the State of New Jersey Department of Health pursuant to the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act, N.J.S.A. 26:6I-1, et seq. The use of cannabis for medical purposes is a matter of compassion and necessity for over 70,000 current New Jersey residents authorized by licensed physicians or other health care providers to use medical cannabis and medical cannabis products to alleviate symptoms of a variety of debilitating medical conditions. The Township is home to numerous registered patients and caregivers who participate in the Department of Health’s program.
In February, GTI New Jersey approached the Township of Verona seeking a letter of support for the proposal by GTI New Jersey, LLC to locate a satellite Alternate Treatment Center cannabis dispensary at 30 Pompton Avenue. This is one of the first steps that an approved business like GTI must take before opening a dispensary at a chosen location. The Township entered into negotiations with GTI in an effort to determine whether GTI would agree to execute a written agreement with terms and conditions satisfactory to the Township.
After many hours of negotiations regarding the terms of GTI’s operations, the parties have been unable to reach an amicable agreement. At this time negotiations have ceased. Therefore, the Township Council will not be acting on GTI’s request for a letter of support and the matter is considered closed.
