One of the things we know for sure is that all towns are given the option to opt out of the sale of marijuana in their towns if they so choose. And many towns have already taken advantage of this.
One town that is jumping on the bandwagon in favor of marijuana sales is Eatontown. I’ve already seen a marijuana dispensary sitting along the highway in Eatontown, sparkling and beautiful, all ready to be opened as soon as the legislature could get its act together and the town could pass the relevant ordinances.
The borough, which was first at the Shore to have a medical marijuana dispensary, will permit the businesses on its main commercial corridor along routes 35 and 36. While two new licenses will be made available for retail cannabis, a third license is expected to go to the Garden State Dispensary, the medical marijuana dispenser, to expand its operations to include recreational sales.
The Borough Council killed one ordinance for recreational cannabis in favor of an amended version that permits cannabis retails businesses to open on all of Route 36.
The first ordinance, introduced July 14, permitted cannabis retail on Route 36 east of the Route 35 intersection only, along with Route 35 south of Monmouth Mall. The council, concerned that the measure would not pass because some members wanted the entire Route 36 corridor opened, held a special meeting last week, and introduced the amended version.
The first ordinance, which was introduced July 14 and will be voted on Wednesday, does not have the full support of the council. At least one objection is the ordinance is too restrictive because it would not allow retail cannabis businesses to open on Rt. 36 west of the Rt. 35 intersection.
Speaking Wednesday at a special council meeting called to discuss a compromise, Councilwoman Maria Escalante said she wouldn't vote for the measure unless all of Rt. 36 was open for retail cannabis.