A second public meeting was held to discuss the regulation of cannabis businesses in Howell Township, ending with no decisions being confirmed.
An initial meeting was held on September 14 where several residents voiced their concerns about the possibility of having the businesses and where they should be zoned. The second discussion took place on November 30 to further talk about the topic.
New York towns have just two weeks left to ban cannabis stores and consumption lounges under the state’s marijuana legalization law signed earlier this year. Those that don't opt-out by December 31 cannot restrict operations going forward, and the timeline has triggered a flurry of local government hearings where the safety and benefit of legal marijuana are being debated anew.
More than 400 towns and villages across New York have opted to block local marijuana dispensaries and consumption lounges as a statewide deadline to do so nears, with many officials deciding to stay out of the upcoming market until regulators provide more clarity.
The law that legalized recreational marijuana in New York this year gives municipalities until Dec. 31 to “opt out” of hosting dispensaries or on-site consumption lounges once retail sales start in a year or so. Localities cannot ban legalized possession.
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.
Howell voted in July to ban recreational and medical marijuana sales, but leaders at the time said they were doing so chiefly to avoid a deadline that would have forced the town to allow such sales with no local restrictions. Howell residents voted 63% in favor of legalizing marijuana in the November ballot measure. Statewide, 67% of residents voted in favor.
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).
Borough Council members have adopted an ordinance that prohibits all cannabis businesses from operating in Keyport by amending the municipal code to establish cannabis businesses as prohibited uses in all zoning districts.
The ordinance states that municipal officials intend to lift the prohibition when they receive regulatory guidance from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission that they deem adequate.
The long-awaited launch of New Jersey’s legal marijuana program is finally in view. Regulators recently agreed on rules and regulations for the industry as they prepare to open the application process for the licensing of new businesses. But only about 30% of towns in the state have opted in for recreational pot.
The borough has opted out of the marijuana business, at least for now.
The Council approved the total opt-out on August 17 after previously considering allowing wholesalers to operate within the borough.
Charles Cohen, a Plymouth Drive resident, said the council made a "wise" decision "at this time." He noted the Food and Drug Administration has called cannabis a "highly addictive drug," that can cause "cognitive" issues.
"Time and time again, we have seen that consumers prefer to obtain cannabis products from safe, licensed, above-ground retailers," Armentano said. "But, absent access to such facilities, the illicit market will continue to fill this void."
Armentano continued: