The council has flip-flopped on the issue several times. In August, the council passed a resolution that welcomed and supported medical marijuana dispensaries. However, the actual land use ordinance to allow such facilities couldn’t get enough votes at two previous council meetings.
“I strongly believe that any applications for the establishment of medical marijuana facilities in the City of Newark should be heard by the (zoning) board of adjustment, not the planning board,” said North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos. “I really feel that's the right venue because it will give the community an opportunity to be noticed in case there is an application pending in their neighborhood.”
Mayor Ras Baraka previously endorsed the council’s support for medical marijuana dispensaries. Baraka has also supported recreational use of marijuana, but only if state lawmakers tie automatic expungement to it.
Newark council members, who were all backed by Baraka in last year’s local election, have expressed doubts over allowing recreational marijuana in the city. They became most vocal about it during a council meeting on March 20, just days before state lawmakers were set to vote on legalizing marijuana.