Cities and towns have the ultimate say over whether marijuana businesses are allowed locally, and many are already blocking them, at least temporarily. A related debate is percolating over how much more say the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission should yield to local governments.
Janice Kovach, the mayor of Clinton Town and president of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, said the league doesn’t have a position on legalization – but that towns must have local control and discretion and the ability to set stricter rules than the state.
As the state works to expand access to medical marijuana, Clinton is the latest Hunterdon town to be eyed as a potential outlet for the drug.
Flemington approved a resolution last month supporting applications for an “Alternative Treatment Center,” which is what the state calls a provider of medical marijuana. At the Borough Council meeting, Council and the public heard a presentation by Bob Pease and Jonathon Goldrath, who represent Altus New Jersey, LLC, a company planning to seek a state license to dispense marijuana.
Clinton has been approached by Keystone Canna Remedies who has interest in opening a dispensary in the Hunterdon County town but to this point we've yet to see reports that they've gained an approval letter from the town.
