By changing the ordinance now, the city hopes to allow residents a voice as to the location of marijuana dispensaries in Jersey City. Additionally, the city’s Planning Department has recommended several regulations and zoning changes that can be made to allow possible future dispensaries to operate in a strategic way.
“I am supporter of legalization, but it is important that Jersey City takes a proactive approach to prepare for the possible legalization of marijuana in New Jersey,” said Mayor Steven Fulop in a release. “The outlined changes to our zoning laws will help ensure that residents will be part of the process of where dispensaries and grow facilities will be permitted and will guarantee that Jersey City will have the ability to chart its own course once legalization occurs. Our goal is to be ahead of the conversation so that we don’t find ourselves in costly legal battles defending the city in the case we hadn’t prepared properly. This will ensure that residents are protected.”
The city would later establish an overlay zone that would lift these restrictions in specific designated zones.