But an outright local ban wouldn't necessarily come easy. Here's why:
- Any municipal marijuana-ban ordinance that predated the legalization bill is null and void under A-21. Town governments now have a 180-day period from when the bill was enacted to pass a new one, and the clock is already ticking.
- The exact deadline to pass an ordinance is Aug. 21, according to the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
- If they don't pass an ordinance in that time, not only will marijuana businesses be allowed to operate, but town officials won't have another chance to issue a ban for a period of five years.
- Municipalities have no authority to stop the delivery of cannabis items by a delivery service within their jurisdiction, the New Jersey League of Municipalities advises, and only the state's cannabis commission can regulate what time these delivery services operate.
Sales can be banned, but you can still use it
Officials will continue discussing marijuana limitations and restrictions until the deadline. But residents should know that, regardless of what businesses can operate in their town, it won't limit their ability to buy and consume cannabis.