SWEDESBORO — At the Swedesboro Council meeting held on Sept. 16, members of the Swedesboro community approached the council with questions about recent changes to the approved cannabis retail facility plans, and alleged mix-ups with applications for the facility.
Jennifer Romano, owner of the Hip Hop Shop located on Kings Highway and a resident of Swedesboro, addressed the Council during the public portion of the meeting. She shared her experience in attempting to secure a license for a cannabis dispensary in the borough.
Romano’s remarks centered around Resolutions 77 and 78, both related to the previously approved application for Class 5 cannabis retail facilities in Swedesboro. Resolution 77 replaced Resolution 67, which initially permitted more than one cannabis dispensary in the borough. Under the new resolution that was approved on Aug. 19, only one dispensary would now be allowed.
Romano stated that nearly a year ago, in October 2023, she and her consultants began discussions by reaching out to Mayor Tom Fromm via email to explore the possibility of opening a dispensary.
Romano expressed frustration and confusion, explaining that two dispensaries that had been granted were initially approved to operate in such a close proximity, that they would’ve practically been across the street from each other, which is something she and her investors had not anticipated.
She referenced an email she sent to Fromm on Aug. 16, in which she urged the council to reconsider the decision to allow two dispensaries and revert to permitting just one, hoping the license ultimately would go to the highest-scoring applicant.
She added that on Aug. 19, just days after she had emailed the mayor, the board switched the ordinance back to allowing only one dispensary, right after the other applicant had already submitted their application, which was then supported by the council.
Romano further explained that after the ordinance permitting dispensaries was passed, she retrieved an application from the borough clerk and hired a professional team, including an attorney, engineer, architect, sign company, and general contractor. Her consultant, Kristopher Wilson, CEO of Woolwich Wellness Company, confirmed with the borough that the application she received was the correct one. However, after a conversation with Councilman Shaun Booker, it became clear that Romano had actually been given the wrong application.
Additionally, Romano revealed that she later received an email stating that she could not submit her application because only one license would be granted, and that license had already been awarded to another applicant.
Given the mistakes made by the borough and the ongoing communication issues she experienced throughout the process, Romano respectfully requested the council reconsider its resolutions and provide her with a fair opportunity to compete for the dispensary license.
Wilson addressed the council as well in support of Romano and pushed for them to reconsider their decision, describing what Romano faced as “an injustice”.
The council did not comment and plan to address Romano and her situation during a closed-door session.
The council also thanked the police department for their assistance with the Sept. 11 Memorial ceremony, where they helped with traffic control, and medical aid they provided along with EMTs when a young girl in the band passed out.
By Asiya Robinson
