Jersey City Welcomes Craft Cannabis: A Local's Vision Takes Root!

Exciting news is brewing in Jersey City as the cultivation of "craft" cannabis gears up to flourish, thanks to local entrepreneur Eli Terry. With a unanimous vote from the Planning Board, Terry is on track to transform a former charter bus warehouse into what could be the city’s second-ever Class 1 cannabis cultivation site.

The Vision Behind the Venture

Located at 77 Forest St., this innovative project aims to bring a unique touch to the cannabis market. Eli Terry, a proud graduate of St. Anthony High School, expressed his enthusiasm during the board meeting: “It’s a small operation, but it’s unique. We’re going to be developing craft cannabis and exploring the market because there isn’t much craft cannabis available.”

What is Craft Cannabis?

According to Terry, craft cannabis is all about quality over quantity. He emphasizes:

• Using the finest ingredients
• Taking time to cultivate for maximum flavor
• Aiming for a superior experience for consumers

Terry intends to differentiate his products from mass-produced options by ensuring each step in the cultivation process is meticulously followed.

The Journey to Legitimacy

After six years of underground cultivation, Terry is ready to take his passion public. He hopes to begin construction this fall and aims to have his company, Glue Lagoon Farms, ready to ship its first batch by the second quarter of next year.

Facility Features

The architectural plans outline a functional space, which will include:

• A new entrance
• Rooms dedicated to growing, processing, and storing cannabis
• A mezzanine office on the second floor

With plans to produce around 500 pounds of cannabis annually, Terry envisions scaling that up to 1200 pounds in the future, while also creating jobs for three to four full-time workers and six part-time assistants.

Community Impact and Support

At the meeting, the Planning Board recognized Terry’s initiative as a significant step for Jersey City, marking it as one of the first licensed Class 1 cultivators in the area. This aligns with broader efforts to create economic opportunities and promote social justice through the cannabis industry.

As articulate by Hugh Giordano, the organizing director of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 360’s Cannabis Division, “This is economic and social justice happening in real time... It’s giving working-class people the opportunity to become executives while creating good jobs and economic relief for the community.”

Additional Cannabis Developments

The Planning Board also approved a Class 5 retailer in the area, A Higher Ground Dispensary, which stands out as one of the few female-led cannabis operations in the industry, owned by Kimberly Green and Tiffanie Cardwell.

What’s Next for Jersey City’s Cannabis Scene?

With the first set of cannabis licenses issued in New Jersey in 2022, the landscape is rapidly evolving. Jersey City’s embrace of craft cannabis reflects a growing trend that combines community values with economic potential.

What Do You Think?

• Do you believe craft cannabis can thrive in Jersey City?
• What impact do you think this will have on the local economy?
• Is the legalization of cannabis contributing to social justice, or does it create new challenges?
• How do you feel about the growing number of female-led cannabis businesses?
• Should more cities adopt similar initiatives to support local entrepreneurs?

Your thoughts are important! Join the conversation and share your opinions below.