The mayor’s efforts to expand Paterson’s legal cannabis industry ran into a City Hall wall.
After a 90-minute discussion, the City Council early Wednesday morning voted down an ordinance that would have increased the number of cannabis retail licenses in Paterson from three to six.
The failed ordinance also would have eliminated a prohibition against cannabis businesses from operating less than 300 feet from homes and reduced the distance from churches and schools from 300 feet to 200 feet.
The council’s rejection of the cannabis expansion came just three weeks after the governing body had given the same plan its preliminary approval.
The failure of the ordinance also calls into question the fate of three retail cannabis licenses that gained support from the council in votes taken on July 18. At that time, city officials had said the approved retail locations were less than 300 feet from homes and needed that restriction lifted to open for business.
Some of the businesses indicated they may seek a Superior Court hearing on their license applications as allowed under New Jersey’s cannabis law.
Mayor Andre Sayegh has repeatedly touted the cannabis businesses as an important source of revenue for city government. Paterson expects to collect about $2 million in taxes on the one dispensary now in operation, RISE on Route 20.
Paterson Press asked Sayegh what he would do in response to the council rejection of the cannabis ordinance. But rather than reveal his plans, the mayor simply issued a statement restating things he has previously said about cannabis businesses.
“As we continue to revitalize Paterson’s economy, we must remain at the forefront of the emerging cannabis industry,” read the statement. “This industry has already generated jobs for Patersonians, tax revenue, and created economic opportunities for our residents.”
Voting in favor of the cannabis expansion ordinance were Ruby Cotton, Maritza Davila, Shahin Khalique and Alex Mendez. Opposed were Al Abdelaziz, Michael Jackson, Lilisa Mimms, Md Forid Uddin, and Luis Velez.
“I don’t care if it’s 500 feet or 5,000 feet,” Abdelaziz said of the distance between homes and cannabis businesses, “I’m not doubling up licenses.”
Velez criticized the process the city has been using to review the proposed licenses and questioned why Paterson already collected permit fees from the would-be new retail businesses.
“The administration started backward,” Velez said. “They should not take your money until the process is done.”
Davila emphasized the importance of the city tax revenue and jobs for Paterson residents in explaining her support of the expansion plan. She took a shot at colleague who voted against the businesses while also asserting their opposition to property tax increases.
“I’m not going to be a hypocrite and say, ‘Let’s not raise taxes and let’s not make money, either,’” Davila said.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ Council rejects plan to expand cannabis in town
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