Council extends local support for cannabis dispensary at 176 Woodbridge after tie-breaking mayoral vote; residents protest expansion

The Highland Park Borough Council voted to extend local support for a cannabis retail license for Black Brown LLC at 176 Woodbridge Avenue after abstentions left the result tied and Mayor Elsie Foster cast the deciding vote.

During the meeting’s consent agenda review, council members removed item 13b for a separate vote. That item—identified in the meeting record as a resolution authorizing an extension of local support for a classified retail cannabis license—was discussed and then put to a roll-call vote. The public record shows “Council member George” and “Council member Hill” voted yes; “Council president [Kim] Chohan” and “Council member Vargas” recorded abstentions; “Council member Hussain” voted yes; the mayor then voted to approve the resolution after the abstentions produced an initial tie. The council clerk announced “Resolution passes.” (Vote locations and…