City Council has been passing around the idea of allowing marijuana sales for years but could never get any data on anticipated tax revenue.
City resident Max Slusher, a member of the Economic Development Advisory Commission, finally delivered that data during a presentation March 23.
In November 2020, New Jersey residents voted about 2-1 in favor of allowing recreational use of marijuana for adults. The Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act created the Cannabis Regulatory Commission that regulates the statewide marketplace for cannabis products.
In 2021, each municipality had the option to prohibit or otherwise limit the six classes of cannabis businesses. Delivery businesses can be restricted but the actual delivery of the product cannot.
Many municipalities chose to opt out because there was a deadline to do so or be stuck with the nonexistent state rules for five years. Somers Point was among them, but at the time City Council President Janice Johnston said they intended to revisit the idea after the state released its regulations.