The township council has voted to permanently ban recreational marijuana businesses from operating, rejecting a less-sweeping prohibition recommended by a study committee.
Council members approved the ban in a 4-1 vote, with two members abstaining due to conflicts. Several members have said they could revisit the marijuana issue — to permit medical marijuana dispensaries.
Only Councilwoman Laurie Huryk voted against an ordinance banning recreational weed businesses.
Marijuana businesses are likely to be banned indefinitely here after Township Council members introduced a measure that would eliminate the Dec. 31 expiration date for the weed business ban.
Four council members -- Kevin M. Geoghegan, Maria Maruca, Matt Lotano and Daniel Rodrick -- voted to scrap the Dec. 31 date on Tuesday. Council members Josh Kopp and Terrance Turnbach abstained, while Councilwoman Laurie Huryk voted "no" on the measure.
In addition to adopting an ordinance barring businesses that sell, manufacture and distribute weed from operating in town, the council on Tuesday also voted 5 to 1 — with Councilman Josh Kopp abstaining — to introduce a companion measure that sets a Dec. 31 expiration date on the weed business ban.
That will give Toms River's cannabis committee more time to continue its discussions on whether to permit weed-related businesses in the township, and if so, to decide where they should be located.
Council members Laurie Huryk and Daniel Rodrick will join local residents on a committee that will discuss whether marijuana businesses should be allowed in the township.
Members of the committee are expected to be appointed Tuesday. The council last week again tabled an ordinance that would bar companies that sell, manufacture or distribute weed from operating in town. The measure is expected to be discussed again — and possibly voted on — at the July 13 council meeting.
The township took the first step toward banning businesses that sell, manufacture or distribute marijuana when council members introduced an ordinance prohibiting legal weed sales Tuesday night.
Council members voted 6 to 1 to introduce the measure, which would block marijuana businesses for a five-year period. Councilwoman Laurie Huryk voted against the ordinance, which is scheduled for a public hearing at 6 p.m. May 11.
"In its current form I do not believe it should be introduced," Huryk said of the cannabis ordinance.
Councilman George E. Wittmann Jr. said Wednesday that the council is thinking about reintroducing the ban "in the near future." Wittmann, who championed barring the sale of recreational weed, was on vacation when the public hearing on the original ordinance took place.
He expressed agreement — as well as a bit of frustration — when McPhail, and a handful of other residents said the council should not have given in to pressure from the pro-marijuana side.