Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
October 4, 2023
The borough’s first recreational marijuana dispensary could open as soon as January 2025 once all regulatory hurdles are cleared.
The Borough Council on Monday passed a resolution supporting Root 22 Dispensary’s proposal to open a “small craft cannabis” dispensary in the far northwestern corner of the county seat on the site now occupied by a Sunoco station at the intersection of Route 22 and Gaston Avenue.
James Barr, a principal of Root 22 Dispensary along with Bridgewater resident James Savino, told the Council that he projects the business could gross $10 million a year.
With a municipal tax of 2% of gross sales, the borough could annually realize $200,000 in revenue, he said.
Somerville will allow two cannabis businesses to open in the borough, but it has been difficult to find a location in the borough’s B-5 business zone along Route 22.
Savino said it was a challenge to find a suitable location that fit the zoning requirements and was also affordable.
Mayor Dennis Sullivan said the borough has received many inquiries about locating a dispensary in Somerville, but this is the first proposal to reach the Council.
Root 22 has signed a 10-year lease, with an option for an additional 10 years, with the owner of the property, Barr said, and plans several changes, including constructing a second story on the building and removing the gas pumps and canopy.
“We think it’s a great location,” he said, adding it’s “far away” from both Immaculata and Somerville high schools.
The business, which will be open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., will have 15 to 20 employees, Barr said, including a security guard who will check the identification of all those entering the business to determine if they’re 21 years old. The guard will also be checking the premises to prevent loitering and the use of cannabis on the property.
“We have zero tolerance on loitering,” Barr said.
Barr said he hoped to hire at least half of the employees from Somerville, including veterans and women.
The dispensary will have kiosks for customers to place orders or customers can order and consult with an employee, he said.
The second story will have a vault, office space and a break room, Barr said.
Barr said he and Savino have an interest in a small cultivation facility in Middlesex Borough that has been approved, after litigation.
Barr also said he does not anticipate any odor control problems because the cannabis will be delivered pre-packaged after testing.
Barr added the dispensary will follow all state regulations, engage in a public education campaign and work with community groups.
The borough’s support of Root 22 Dispensary’s license application to the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission is the first step through a lengthy bureaucratic process before the dispensary can open.
Barr said it takes the state about six months to review the license application, then another six months to develop site plans and gain borough Planning Board approval and then another six to seven months for construction.
Councilmembers voted unanimously to support Root 22 Dispensary’s license application.
Councilman Granville Brady said he liked the location of the proposal.
“It’s not a place where a lot of people will be congregating,” he said.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com