A medical marijuana dispensary proposed for a former bank property on Adamston Road was not approved by the township’s Board of Adjustment Wednesday night. With testimony and what is expected to be significant public comment ahead, a more than three hour-long board meeting was adjourned until Nov. 19.
The date change could be significant for Jersey Shore Therapeutic Health Care (JSTHC), which is seeking permission to operate a former OceanFirst bank branch at 385 Adamston Road as a medical marijuana dispensary and build a 48,000 square foot grow house on the same lot. JSTHC is one of 143 applicants who are competing for one of six licenses from the New Jersey Department of Health to operate a dispensary. On Nov. 1, the state will select two dispensary locations from the northern, central and southern regions of the state. But as a condition of a state license, an applicant must demonstrate community support and have a plan for zoning approval by Nov. 30, according to state documentation.