At a recent meeting, members of the South Brunswick Township Council expressed support of an ordinance which prohibits the farming, development, and distribution of marijuana in the township. Council members agreed that retail sales and growth of marijuana should not be allowed in South Brunswick, many believed that lab testing would be acceptable.
New Jersey voters overwhelmingly approved of legalizing recreational cannabis in the last election. In Middlesex County, 62.7% of voters approved of a constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana, according to the county website.
South Brunswick Law Director Don Sears presented a model ‘Opt Out’ ordinance which would prohibit the operation of all cannabis establishments in the township. Council has formally asked Mr. Sears to craft a similar ordinance for adoption.
The model ordinance prohibits cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, wholesale distribution, retail sales and delivery. All members of the township council, including Mayor Charles Carley, expressed support for the provisions. Councilwoman Hochman said she wanted no retail cannabis sales in South Brunswick, citing concerns about children obtaining marijuana.
“South Brunswick is a community of families. We don’t have major shopping centers that a Cannabis store could easily lend itself. I am in favor of using cannabis for medical reasons, not so for using it as a means of getting high,” Hochman said in an email, “People will obtain it from other towns, but our young adults will know that the town they live in cares about them.”