Officials have banned sales of marijuana, both medicinal and recreational, in the borough, despite some members of the public arguing that medical marijuana dispensaries should be permitted near Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center.
As the state Legislature moves toward a legal marijuana bill, which one marijuana advocate has said is “98 percent done,” Westwood joined a growing number of towns across North Jersey that have said no to legal weed.
The ordinance was approved 4-1 on Tuesday, with Councilwoman Erin Collins, who wished for medical marijuana sales to be exempt, as the sole dissenting vote.
A number of residents have urged the borough to reconsider the ban of medicinal marijuana, saying access to medicinal marijuana dispensaries are limited throughout the state.
"I am a father, and I welcome a dispensary into my neighborhood with open arms if it meant my neighbor would have easier access during a very difficult time in their life," resident Eric Dougherty said at a meeting this month.