A medical marijuana dispensary could bring some additional tax revenue into Ocean Township some time in the future. No one has come forward with plans to set up shop just yet – but the business opportunity exists. The township committee approved a zoning ordinance change on Tuesday that permits legal medical marijuana sales in the C-1 general commercial district.
According to Mayor Ken Baulderstone, the zoning change has limitations. A medical dispensary that seeks to open in Ocean Township will be regulated by state law. The local restrictions forbid the cultivation, production or manufacture of medical cannabis onsite.
Members of the community showed up at the committee meeting to voice their disapproval of the zoning change allowing a dispensary to open within the Waretown section of the township.
“I understand that there are a number of elderly people in the town that use medical marijuana,” said Nick Cafaro, a Waretown resident. “I understand that it would be convenient for them to go to a local dispensary.”
Cafaro said he was concerned that people from other areas would also come into town. He said that larger communities with a greater prevalence of older residents should open their own dispensaries.