A second public meeting was held to discuss the regulation of cannabis businesses in Howell Township, ending with no decisions being confirmed.
An initial meeting was held on September 14 where several residents voiced their concerns about the possibility of having the businesses and where they should be zoned. The second discussion took place on November 30 to further talk about the topic.
Back in November 2020, New Jersey residents voted to legalize adult use of marijuana. State officials had given municipalities until August 21 to pass ordinances to prohibit or permit marijuana businesses.
Within Monmouth County, 65.6 percent of residents voted to approve legalization of marijuana, and 34.4 percent voted against. For Howell, 63.39 percent voted to legalize it.
Despite the votes, council members voted ‘yes’ on August 21 to prohibit marijuana businesses in the town. However, they reassured residents that the ban would be temporary to give the council more time to properly zone and choose where the businesses should be in Howell.
Before the ordinance was adopted, many residents stated that the legalization was a “missed opportunity.”