Stockton council clears release of cannabis RFA after executive-session legal review; residents voice concern over $10,000 fee

Stockton Borough Council voted after executive session on March 17 to permit the Cannabis Committee to advertise a Request for Applications (RFA) for cannabis licensing and to allow the committee to amend that application before posting it on the borough website. Council President Michael Mann moved the action and Councilperson William Brown seconded it; the recorded vote listed Brown, Hunt, Mann and Meltzer as voting in favor (Ayes 4, Nays 0).

The council had entered executive session to obtain attorney–client advice about the RFA, with Borough Attorney Lisa Maddox stating the discussion was within the attorney–client privilege under N.J.S.A. 10:4-12.b(7). The council indicated it would make the subject public when resolved, and did so by approving the advertisement of the RFA upon return to open session.

During public comment resident Mike Odenwald said a $10,000 annual fee for a cannabis license would make it difficult for local business owners to apply and asked whether the borough would provide a resolution of support after applicants pay application fees. Mayor Aaron Lipsen replied that details of the ordinance and the RFA would be posted later in the week and that the RFA will spell out timelines and application requirements. Hunt said he would provide a specific Q&A timeline when the RFA is issued.

The council did not state final fee structures, scoring weights or residency preferences during the public meeting; those details will appear in the RFA posted on the borough website.