Cannabis businesses – from retail stores to operations that grow, manufacture and distribute cannabis – will be permitted to open their doors in Lawrence Township under an ordinance that has been adopted by the Township Council.
Council members unanimously adopted an ordinance that will permit cannabis businesses to locate in selected areas of the township following a public hearing on the ordinance at their July 20 meeting.
While the adoption of the ordinance was greeted with positive comments from some meeting attendees, it was met with criticism from one attendee who urged the council members to delay action and study the issue further.
Municipal officials in Lawrence, like their counterparts across New Jersey, face a deadline of Aug. 21 to decide whether to “opt in” and permit any or all of the state’s six classes of cannabis businesses to open in the township, or to “opt out” of allowing the businesses.