City Council voted unanimously to OK an ordinance change that would allow the city to set up a medical marijuana dispensary in a designated redevelopment zone.
The move comes as lawmakers consider legalizing adult recreational marijuana use, as part of the Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s push to legalize pot across the state.
The council’s decision to allow a dispensary to set up shop in a certain part of the city was a stark change from a few years ago when Marge Caldwell-Wilson’s resolution to legalize marijuana across the state fell on deaf ears.
Marijuana advocates spoke at a previous council meeting in overwhelming support of the measure, saying the city was behind the eight ball on the pot discussion.
Pro-pot Mayor Reed Gusciora, who sponsored a recreational marijuana bill during his time as a state assemblyman, promised to sign the ordinance change, calling it an important moment for the city.