For Jesse Marie Villars and Cord Schlobohm, opening an adult-use cannabis dispensary in Lambertville has been a dream—and, at times, a nightmare.
Both are former opioid addicts with past marijuana convictions who credit medical cannabis with saving their lives by ending their opioid dependency. They became activists, educating patients on healthy ways to consume cannabis and break the cycle of pain meds, through YouTube tutorials and a popular course on edibles and infusion baking at a local restaurant. When Lambertville shut them down and proposed a ban on recreational sales in 2022, despite 80 percent voter approval, the couple brought their many fans to council meetings. The city listened, crafting a new ordinance and allowing four licenses.
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By December 2023, Baked by the River was on track to become the first recreational-cannabis store to open in Lambertville—but then the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission lost their application. “We couldn’t afford a lobbyist,” says Villars. “I went to numerous public hearings without a response. There is a well-reported level of corruption within this industry, and representing yourself as a small business owner doesn’t seem to have a lot of weight, unfortunately.”
Their three months in limbo gave Union Chill, a dispensary with corporate ties, the chance to open first and get a foothold in the market.
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Another snafu emerged when negotiations with their landlord broke down because the proposed rent was unsustainable. The silver lining: A historic firehouse went on the market that very day. With the financial support of two local businessmen, Villars and Schlobohm bought the firehouse and opened Baked by the River in December 2023.
The couple has stayed true to their mission of bringing cannabis’s benefits to the community. Eighty percent of their employees were harmed by the war on drugs, and they emphasize education. “We’ve created a warm, welcoming community space, where you can sit down, hang out, and get your questions answered,” says Villars. “We’re living the dream.”
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