ATLANTIC CITY — City Council on Wednesday night introduced an ordinance to establish a cap on the number of retail cannabis dispensaries in the resort.
The ordinance cites a study that was conducted to determine whether there should be a cap on retail licenses as the desire to open businesses within the city has exceeded expectations.
“This is on the retail class 5,” said Karl Timbers, the assistant city solicitor. “You can have a full annual license or a micro license, which is someone who’s restricted in space or employees. The recommendation we received was 16, but it would be 12 annual and four micro.”
No councilmember spoke at length about the topic prior to the 7-0 vote. Councilman George Tibbitt was not at the meeting, and Council President Aaron Randolph stepped out of the room while the vote was taking place.
There are 15 cannabis businesses open in the city, with approvals in place for two more. And the city has far exceeded the proposed cap in the number of cannabis business applications, with local statements of support for more than 60 businesses, a necessary step toward receiving a license through the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
With sharp competition for limited dollars from cannabis consumers and no shortage of places to buy it, Atlantic City’s weed businesses may look to work together.
The commission’s website shows 15 cannabis retailers in Atlantic City, along with two cultivators and one manufacturer. Two of the retail businesses include an approved consumption lounge.
Even some cannabis business supporters have raised concerns for more than a year about the number of retail spaces. More recently, cannabis dispensary operators have gone public with complaints about the number of sites in the city, saying there is too much competition for any business to thrive.
Cannabis business owners had referenced a study on the local marketplace, but so far the city has not released it, or responded to a request for a copy filed under New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act.
The city had until Sept. 12 to respond to the request filed Sept. 3. An employee in the clerk’s office said in an email Thursday morning that the request was under legal review and an extension until Oct. 2 was needed.
There also was no response to requests for an interview on the topic with Mayor Marty Small Sr. or with Kashawn “Kash” McKinley, Small’s director of constituent services who has taken the lead on cannabis for the city.
Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox!
Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
John O’Connor
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
Your notification has been saved.
There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this feature
Log In
Don’t have an account? Sign Up Today
Bill Barlow
Reporter
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
Your notification has been saved.
There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this feature
Log In
Don’t have an account? Sign Up Today