The cannabis conversation is working its way through the City Council.
At Monday night's meeting, the Jersey City Municipal Council passed the first reading of a cannabis ordinance that included regulations and zoning suggestions from the planning board. Municipalities in New Jersey have until August 21 to enact an ordinance managing cannabis policy in the city for the next five years.
Last month, the planning board approved the regulations that were passed onto the City Council. Under the regulations, cannabis consumption areas would be allowed in the city and exist within a cannabis retail facility — somewhere selling recreational or medical marijuana.
On Monday, the council held a special meeting and deliberated on the allocation of tax funds from cannabis businesses. The discussion focused on whether the schools or social equity programs would best benefit from the money. Councilors Lavarro and Solomon had initially proposed the school component and while several councilors agreed, a social equity component was raised in the meeting as well.