Hazlet’s 2021 ordinance amends an ordinance municipal officials adopted in 2018 that added marijuana establishments and medical marijuana dispensaries as prohibited uses under the township’s zoning district regulations.
The 2018 ordinance was adopted by the governing body following the inauguration of Gov. Phil Murphy, who said he would take action to legalize marijuana for recreational use (also known as adult use).
The 2018 ordinance defined marijuana cultivation facilities, marijuana testing facilities, marijuana product manufacturing facilities and marijuana retailers as types of marijuana establishments. The 2021 ordinance amends the definition of marijuana establishments to reflect those established by A-21.
“The Township Committee has determined that due to present uncertainties regarding the potential future impacts that allowing one or more classes of cannabis businesses might have on New Jersey municipalities in general and on Hazlet, it is at this time necessary and appropriate and in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of its residents and members of the public who visit, travel or conduct business in Hazlet, to amend the development review ordinance to prohibit all manner of cannabis-related uses and land development,” the ordinance reads.