Lower Township Council supported its first potential weed business, backing Sea and Leaf LLC in its bid to open a retail cannabis facility at 3860 Bayshore Road, Unit 7.
Local approval is part of the application process for a state license, which would still need to be approved by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Council gave unanimous approval at a February meeting.
“This has been a good two years in the making,” said Mayor Frank Sippel at the meeting.
When New Jersey voters approved a constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana in 2020, township voters said “yes” in numbers above the statewide average, Sippel said.
Still, when Lower Township voted to allow cannabis businesses, several residents spoke against the idea, with some citing the dangers of drug abuse.
Others in the community supported the plan, with speakers pointing out the potential economic benefit.