The members of the Marlboro Township Council have adopted an ordinance that prohibits all classes of cannabis businesses from being licensed in the municipality.
The ordinance was adopted by the council following a public hearing on July 15.
A motion was made to adopt the ordinance and council President Jeff Cantor, Vice President Scott Metzger, Councilwoman Randi Marder and Councilwoman Carol Mazzola voted “yes.”
Councilman Michael Scalea was absent from the meeting.
The only member of the public to speak about the ordinance was Dr. Alan Ao, a pharmacist and president of Plants and Prescriptions, a group focused on studying the benefits of medical marijuana and educating members of the public of its potential uses.
“I am disappointed there was no public forum to discuss the issue at hand. Unlike many things that come across this council and community, cannabis is still an extremely polarizing topic on multiple fronts.
“It needs to be addressed with facts, data, science, education and awareness of what a legalized cannabis industry might look like in this community. There is still a resounding stigma around cannabis consumption and uneducated populations that are stuck in the 1950s reefer madness era.