Cannabis Dispensary Application Decision Reached By Madison Council

MADISON, NJ — Madison residents who came to see the outcome of the contested dispensary application watched the time go by during the four-hour-long council meeting, while council members continued with the hearing.

After several hours of listening to public comment and discussion, the final decision was reached, resulting in the ultimate and unanimous denial of a resolution to grant a dispensary license to the applicant, 1st Choice Health & Wellness, LLC.

The council also adopted a resolution that supports the continued prohibition of recreational cannabis sales within the borough. "This is already banned by an ordinance, this is just making it clear not only to our residents, but to any applicants, that recreational cannabis is not permitted now, or, we don't anticipate ever in the future in Madison," Mayor Bob Conley said.

1st Choice Health + Wellness, a licensed dispensary, applied to open a location in Madison. The company was interested in Madison because of its central location in northern New Jersey, according to Nicholas Dasaro, COO of 1st Choice Health + Wellness.

This application was heard for the first time on Nov. 28 and was met with strong opposition from borough residents, particularly a group of families living in the Niles neighborhood, which is adjacent to the proposed dispensary site.

Before the hearing, the mayor asked that all residents and council members be respectful and understanding that, while personal beliefs about cannabis can be polarizing, it was critical that they all listen to one another.

"Lets all understand that there are strong passions on both sides of the cannabis legalization issue, the use of marijuana for medical reasons along with the concept of a dispensary right here in Madison. Our personal beliefs may be guided by experience, whether our own, or from family and friends," Conley said.

The applicant's legal counsel gave a presentation to the board to answer some of the unanswered inquiries made by locals at the prior meeting. During his presentation to the board, Ryan M. Magee, a partner at the law firm Riker Danzig, addressed issues regarding safety protocols and regulatory oversight.

Magee reiterated that only locals who were of the legal age and in possession of a valid medical marijuana card would be permitted entry to the dispensary.

"There is no consumption allowed whatsoever on the premises. Edibles are not permitted under New Jersey State law, nor will they be permitted at 1st Choice's medicinal dispensary," Magee said.

During his presentation, he also made other suggestions, including plans to engage the community by donating about 5% of annual profits to organizations in the Madison area and to renovate the parking lot by installing fencing and other improvements.

Aside from the residents disapproval of the venture, the council had one other concern, and that was the financial capability of the dispensary as recreation marijuana sales would not be allowed.

"When 1st Choice Health & Wellness submitted its application to the department of health in 2019, adult-use cannabis did not even exist in the State of New Jersey, so the answer to your question is yes," Magee said.

Jim Burnet, the chief financial officer, examined the data after the council's remarks and came to the conclusion that the dispensary couldn't run a profitable, exclusively medical operation. The council expressed its doubt that a cannabis dispensary in Madison could turn a profit without switching to recreational use, prompting them to reject the application.

Following the rejection, the crowd began applauding and cheering as police officers escorted the gathering crowd as the council moved on to other items on the agenda.

To conclude the meeting, two residents addressed the council, requesting that the ordinance allowing for medicinal cannabis use in Madison Borough be repealed in the new year.