The first ordinance, which was introduced July 14 and will be voted on Wednesday, does not have the full support of the council. At least one objection is the ordinance is too restrictive because it would not allow retail cannabis businesses to open on Rt. 36 west of the Rt. 35 intersection.
Speaking Wednesday at a special council meeting called to discuss a compromise, Councilwoman Maria Escalante said she wouldn't vote for the measure unless all of Rt. 36 was open for retail cannabis.
If the measure were to fall short, the borough might not have enough time to draft another ordinance in time to meet an Aug. 21 deadline established by the state for towns to regulate recreational marijuana.
If not, they have to wait five years before they could try to do so again.
Mayor Anthony Talerico Jr. said the council doesn't want to be in the position where the state controls the cannabis regulations for them.
To potentially avoid that circumstance, the council introduced the amended ordinance that permits retail cannabis on the entirety of Rt. 36 within the borough's borders. The amended version will go to a vote on Aug. 5 at a special meeting