In addition to adopting an ordinance barring businesses that sell, manufacture and distribute weed from operating in town, the council on Tuesday also voted 5 to 1 — with Councilman Josh Kopp abstaining — to introduce a companion measure that sets a Dec. 31 expiration date on the weed business ban.
That will give Toms River's cannabis committee more time to continue its discussions on whether to permit weed-related businesses in the township, and if so, to decide where they should be located.
The cannabis committee, which includes five residents, township Planner David Roberts, as well as representatives from the police department and Toms River Regional schools, has so far met three times, according to Councilwoman Laurie Huryk.
Huryk, who supporting legalizing marijuana and has urged the council not to ban weed businesses, and Council President Kevin M. Geoghegan, who said he has not yet made up his mind on the issue, are also members of the committee.
"We are making some progress," Huryk said.