Don’t expect to purchase recreational marijuana in this borough in the near future.
While officials said they might later revisit the decision, the borough council on Thursday joined a growing number of New Jersey municipalities who will prohibit cannabis commerce within their borders following the state’s legalization of recreational marijuana.
“For me, this is not really a debate among experts,” said Mayor Sara Todisco at the online meeting. “This is just a matter of what is the pulse of our community? What does our community feel? And frankly there was just overwhelming opposition.”
In a 5-1 decision that followed a community forum held on the topic, the council directed its borough attorney to prepare a regulation that would ban all classes of cannabis operations within the municipality in keeping with a sample ordinance that has been distributed by the New Jersey League of Municipalities.
Neighboring Westfield was anticipated to finalize a similar measure following a public hearing Tuesday night. Kenilworth approved a ban June 9, and Cranford also has introduced an ordinance to prohibit pot business within its borders.