Jersey City may soon have its first medical marijuana dispensary.

The city’s Redevelopment Agency approved a plan on July 16 to build a medical marijuana facility on the industrial Edward Hart Road near Liberty State Park, where cannabis would be grown and sold .

The facility would be developed by Nuka Properties LLC, which is associated with 1906 edibles, a Colorado-based edible marijuana company known for its chocolates.

Jersey City’s closest medical marijuana dispensary is currently in Secaucus.

Nuka Properties founder and CEO Peter Barsoom said the company hopes to start construction in the first quarter of 2020, but must first wait for a license from the state, which he expects to receive by December.

“We are designing it in a way that’s highly transparent that will offer tours to patients, doctors, regulators, and others to take them through what a cultivation and manufacturing facility is like that operates the highest the pharmaceutical grade standard,” he said.

Barsoom said it will be a state-of-the-art cultivation and manufacturing facility that will showcase medical marijuana to the entire world.

A rendering of what the medical marijuana facility may look like after construction at 1 Edward Hart Road.

Under the plan, 5% of the facility’s revenues would be dedicated to research and 5% would be reinvested in the community, Barsoom said.

“We chose Jersey City because it’s the best place to operate in,” said Barsoom, who grew up in Jersey City. “We are very excited to enter the New Jersey market.”

There are also plans to hire those previously incarcerated for marijuana convictions and offer industry training.

Mayor Steve Fulop, who supports marijuana legalization, said the facility will create jobs but added that only a private transfer of property has taken place so far.

“It’s a long way before anyone knows if they get a license,” Fulop said.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law in July expanding New Jersey’s medical marijuana program. Whether the state will legalize recreational pot will likely remain up in the air until November 2020, when voters decide in a ballot referendum.

“Once recreational passes, we will definitely offer our products to all people,” said Barsoom.

The JCRA passed the resolution unanimously. Commissioner Douglas Carlucci was absent for the vote.

Joshua Rosario may be reached at JRosario@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @JRyRosario.