Bernards Township

As the Aug. 21 deadline to decide on legal marijuana gets closer, towns in Somerset County are banning or allowing — mostly banning — cannabis businesses, with some enacting penalties as high as $200 for smoking weed in public.

Marijuana's use by adults and regulated cultivation are now legal in New Jersey, but two new laws approved by the Bernards Township Committee prohibit both pot use in public and new cannabis businesses from setting up shop locally.

After hearing support for the two ordinances expressed by local adults and teens, Bernards Township officials approved separate ordinances: one prohibits the use or consumption of any form of marijuana in public places, and a second prevents the establishment of local businesses to cultivate and to sell cannabis.

Existing laws protect Bernards Township for now from having a marijuana dispensary moving into town without the explicit permission of the Township Committee, township officials concluded following a discussion last week, after which they declined to take action on the issue at this time.

Medical use expanded in NJ, but recreational marijuana is still prohibited

Medical marijuana, with strict controls, is now available in New Jersey, but recreational use of the substance remains illegal in the state.

The agenda for Aug. 27 includes a work session on marijuana legalization and zoning.

The Bernards Committee last held a public discussion on evolving marijuana laws in July, accepting public comments during the meeting.

While the legalization of recreational marijuana use is on hold in New Jersey, the state already is making an effort to establish additional medical marijuana dispensaries throughout New Jersey.

A wide variety of views _ and cautionary observations from both proponents and opponents _ marked the Bernards Township Committee's first public hearing to gain public input about what residents think about the possibility that the state might legalize recreational marijuana, and the already-approved loosening of medical marijuana distribution.

Mayor Carol Bianchi said the topic will come up for public hearing at a later date, and added the Township Committee might invite an expert on the subject to speak at a future meeting.