Fiscal cannabis data request
Dear Clerk,
My name is Giovanna Romero Sarubbi. I am a doctoral student and public finance researcher at Rutgers University-Camden. I am researching the legalization of recreational cannabis and its impact on NJ municipal public finance, while collecting data on related revenue sources.
Please accept this electronic request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form or use a particular software platform to submit my request per NJSA 47:1A-6(f), which states that an email from a requestor including all of the information required on the adopted form shall suffice in place of a completed form as a valid government record request.
I HAVE NOT been convicted of any indictable offense under the laws of New Jersey, any other state, or the United States.
I WILL NOT use the requested government records for a commercial purpose.
I AM NOT seeking records in connection with a legal proceeding.
Records requested:
1. local cannabis transfer tax,
2. cannabis user tax,
3. social responsibility revenue, and
4. any additional sources of local revenue, such as cannabis application fees.
My preferred delivery method for response(s) to this request is by E-mail as attachments. Please confirm you have received this request. If you are not the custodian of records, please forward my request to that person and provide their email address to me for future reference.
Yours faithfully,
Giovanna Romero Sarubbi
Your OPRA was received. The 7 business day response deadline is set for May 29, 2025.
Nichole L. Almanza, RMC, CMR
Municipal Clerk & Registrar of Vital Statistics
Phone: 856-455-3230 ext 227
Email: [Bridgeton City request email]
181 E Commerce St. Bridgeton NJ 08302
Notice: You are advised that this e-mail, all responses to this e-mail, and all e-mail sent to the e-mail address above, including all attachments, will constitute "public records" obtainable by any person filing a request under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). There should be no expectation that the content of e-mails exchanged with municipal officials and employees will remain private.
Dear Nichole Almanza,
I am writing to clarify the data that I need from your municipality.
I am looking for the annual retail cannabis-related revenue data for your municipality from 2021-2025, if available.
Yours sincerely,
Giovanna Romero Sarubbi
Good morning Giovanna,
Our municipality has not received any type of revenue as to Cannabis establishments. The only revenue that we have received thus far is the actual Cannabis Application fees. I have attached a report to this email.
Mandatory Disclaimer:
If your request for access to a government record has been denied or unfilled within seven (7) business days required by law, you have the right to challenge the decision by the City of Bridgeton to deny access. At your option, you may either institute a proceeding in the Superior Court of New Jersey or file a complaint with the Government Records Council (GRC) by completing the Denial of Access Complaint Form. You may contact the GRC by toll-free telephone at 866-850-0511, by mail at P.O. Box 819, Trenton, NJ 08625, by e-mail at [email address] , or at their website at www.state.nj.us/grc. The GRC can also answer other questions about the law. All questions regarding complaints filed in Superior Court should be directed to the Court Clerk in your County.
Nichole L. Almanza, RMC, CMR
Municipal Clerk & Registrar of Vital Statistics
Phone: 856-455-3230 ext 227
Email: [Bridgeton City request email]
181 E Commerce St. Bridgeton NJ 08302
Notice: You are advised that this e-mail, all responses to this e-mail, and all e-mail sent to the e-mail address above, including all attachments, will constitute "public records" obtainable by any person filing a request under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). There should be no expectation that the content of e-mails exchanged with municipal officials and employees will remain private.