Armed Security Guards

However, those issues have been resolved, Morris told TAPinto in an email.

“The Township had a professional discussion with the business owner and their team to resolve outstanding issues,” he said. “The Township is satisfied with the results of those discussions (and) Daylite has received approval from the Township."

Daylite cannabis received approval for its annual retail license on June 1 from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission and its owner, Steve Cassidy, told 70and73.com in an interview that he expected to open by the end of June.

But the business' plans came to a screeching halt in June when Mount Laurel Township and its Police Department told Cassidy they did not approve of his security plan and that an armed security guard would be required.

At the time, there was no mention of the need for security guards in the Township cannabis ordinance.

The Mount Laurel Township Council unanimously approved two revisions to its cannabis ordinance during its meeting on Tuesday night.

The first revision “requires armed security” in the Township’s cannabis businesses, according to Mount Laurel Township Manager Meredith Riculfy. This change is anticipated to provide additional protection to the business’ employees, contractors and customers.

The second revision caps the maximum number of retail cannabis businesses that can operate in the Township at six, Riculfy told TAPinto Mount Laurel.

Daylite cannabis originally was granted unanimous Township Council support on December 12 to open a recreational marijuana store. The Zoning Board of Adjustment approved daylite's application on March 1 to open at 1136 Route 73.

Based in part on the required Township support, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission early this month approved a license for daylite. That license was the first approved by the state for a Mount Laurel retailer and among the first few to win approval in the 70and73.com area.