Nearly a year ago, Phil Murphy was elected as the Governor of New Jersey. One of his biggest promises to the residents of New Jersey was that he would sign legislation to legalize marijuana for recreational use in the state. Now more than ever it appears the change in law is imminent and members of Township Committees throughout the state are discussing what limitations, if any, their towns will have on related issues such as cultivation and sales of pot.
At last Monday's Township Committee Workshop Meeting, Commissioner Mary O'Connor brought up the topic of marijuana stores in Cranford. She hinted being against it and spoke about how multiple townships in New Jersey have already passed ordinances that will block the sale of marijuana in those towns when made legal. O'Connor wishes for Cranford to be proactive on the topic.
"Part of my thinking on this is that we are a community, especially with the municipal alliance and the school program that is discouraging alcohol and drug abuse amongst our youth, hopefully as a continued lifestyle," said O'Connor. "And I just feel that we would be getting ahead of it instead of reacting to it. It's something I feel that goes along with the philosophy of our town. So I'm putting it forward just to see if there is interest in moving on this for the November meeting."