Six months after 64 percent of Toms River voters approved a measure to legalize recreational marijuana in New Jersey, many are wondering why the Township Council is considering a measure that would ban businesses in dealing with cannabis.
Residents on Tuesday night expressed their displeasure of such a ban, saying that doing so would mean the township will lose out on tax money that would come from businesses that would provide weed to those who want it and that could benefit local schools and other need improvement.
The council heard a first reading of an ordinance Tuesday night that would ban the businesses who manufacture, sell and distribute marijuana. The township considered a similar ordinance in 2018 to ban retail marijuana sales but tables the proposal after residents urged the council to hold off.
Nearly 64 percent of local voters voted to approve the use of recreational marijuana in November as 31,255 residents voted in favor of the measure.