An ordinance allowing Asbury Park to opt out of having marijuana businesses, such as dispensaries or cultivation centers, in city limits is making its way through the city's planning board review and is expected to return to the city council for a final vote on July 14.
But in a city where more than eight out of every 10 votes backed New Jersey marijuana legalization, city leaders made it clear their decision to opt out of the legal weed business was a short-term pause.
"This gives us time to figure out what we want to do," Asbury Park Mayor John Moor said. "I don't think we'll be ready by August."
New Jersey towns have until Aug. 21 to set up their own regulations for dispensaries or ban them outright. Otherwise the new businesses will be able to operate for five years under state regulations.
Hitting pause will allow Asbury Park to prepare for what could be an onslaught of demand when it does allow marijuana businesses. In the years while state lawmakers debated legalization, as many as 70 different potential businesses reached out to Asbury Park officials seeking to gain a foothold in the city.
Without zoning laws in place, officials fear they could have businesses open doors in areas of the city that are not a good fit for Asbury Park, then would be grandfathered in to the landscape.