The Committee passed the ordinance Thursday that blocks cannabis establishments, cultivators, manufacturers, wholesalers, delivery services and other weed businesses from operating in Lacey for up to five years.
The prohibition, which could be rescinded sooner, is permitted under New Jersey's new Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement, Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act.
Mayor Peter Curatolo said legal weed would lead to more intoxicated drivers, car crashes, "gang bangers" coming to Lacey and use by minors.
"They (Lacey residents) didn't vote for 17-year-olds to become drug users," he said Thursday evening during a meeting of the Committee. "They didn't vote for some overtaxed product so some MS-13 (or Mara Salvatrucha, an international gang known for its ruthless and violent attacks) gang banger can come in here and undercut (legally sold marijuana)."
Curatolo dismissed legal weed supporters' claims that the marijuana industry would produce high-paying jobs in the area.
"Go somewhere else to buy it," he said. "Uber some pot over if you need it that badly."