There were many years of advocates advocating, lobbyists lobbying and cannabis businesses doing everything but selling cannabis in New Jersey; a fix for one of the prime issues for cannabis on the federal level has been teased just as long.
But there was a victory at the end of all that waiting for cannabis industry proponents. An adult-use marijuana reform package was signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy in February, meaning New Jersey has a green light for a regulated cannabis market.
The New Jersey Senate Health Committee passed a medical cannabis-related bill (S3799) on Thursday to provide financial support programs for children, seniors, and crime victims in need of medical cannabis treatment reported nj.com.
The Garden State has among the most expensive medical cannabis programs in the country with an ounce costing anywhere from $350 to $500 on average. This can be explained by the sluggish development of the state's medical marijuana program that minimized competition while the demand exploded, according to the outlet.
An ordinance allowing Asbury Park to opt out of having marijuana businesses, such as dispensaries or cultivation centers, in city limits is making its way through the city's planning board review and is expected to return to the city council for a final vote on July 14.
But in a city where more than eight out of every 10 votes backed New Jersey marijuana legalization, city leaders made it clear their decision to opt out of the legal weed business was a short-term pause.
In addition to deciding to consider opting out of the state’s marijuana legislation until municipalities receive further guidance regarding licensing and zoning, members of the Livingston Township Council recently shared their individual viewpoints on the topic for the first time after months of gathering input from the community.
The first item on the agenda is a public hearing and final adoption of an ordinance to prohibit the sale, growth, and distribution of any class of cannabis businesses within the geographical boundaries of Berkeley Heights. Council is proposing this ordinance to allow time for the State to fully develop the regulatory framework and for the council and community to weigh the costs and benefits of any action regarding the sale, growth and distribution of cannabis. Once this is passed, the Township can decide later whether to opt in.
An ordinance permitting the retail and wholesale sale, cultivation and manufacture of recreational marijuana in town was approved Monday night by the Mount Laurel Township Council.
The Mount Laurel ordinance calls for the maximum local tax allowed under state law: separate 2% levies on each sale by retailers, manufacturers or cultivators and 1% on each sale by wholesalers.
Douglas Cooper of Camber Lane asked if there were plans to set aside tax revenue for drug treatment or similar programs.
Don’t expect to purchase recreational marijuana in this borough in the near future.
While officials said they might later revisit the decision, the borough council on Thursday joined a growing number of New Jersey municipalities who will prohibit cannabis commerce within their borders following the state’s legalization of recreational marijuana.
The city is looking to amend its zoning ordinance to allow five of the six marketplace classes of cannabis business licenses now that recreational marijuana is legal in New Jersey for those at least 21.
Under an ordinance scheduled to be introduced during Monday's 7 p.m. City Council meeting, cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, wholesaling, distribution and delivery will be conditionally permitted only in the light industrial and heavy industrial zones.
The ordinance calls for retail marijuana businesses to be prohibited in all zones.
Separate Mount Laurel Township ordinances authorizing recreational marijuana businesses and permitting micro-breweries, distilleries and wine-tasting rooms were endorsed Thursday night by the Planning Board.
Township Council has passed ordinances for both types of businesses, but the Planning Board needed to take a formal vote on whether those businesses would be consistent with the Master Plan.
The ordinances were passed by Council on the first reading and a public hearing on each is scheduled at the Council meeting this Monday before the final votes are taken.
In an effort to keep it "a family town," the Township Council approved an ordinance that prohibits marijuana businesses from operating here.
A public hearing and final vote were held at Thursday night's township Council meeting. The measure passed by a vote of 5-0 vote. Due to telephone technical difficulties, two councilmembers' votes were unable to be recorded.