With all council members in the chamber for the first time in more than a year, Sparta Township Council took their first step, for the third time, to ban marijuana businesses within the town. In a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Dan Chiariello the lone dissenter, Sparta approved the introduction of ordinance 21-10. No one chose to comment before the vote.
“I believe it makes our jobs as police officers much more difficult.,” Newton Police Chief Robert Osborn said. “Most concerning though is the fact that if you find a juvenile with alcohol or marijuana, it does not allow our agency to legally tell the parent of this initial contact.”
Another feature of the new law is the spotlight shone on penalties for police if civil rights are violated. Something police have “always known to be aware of,” according to Sparta Police Chief Neil Spidaletto.
More towns vote no: Another week and more New Jersey towns are making decisions on whether they approve or disapprove of the possibility of marijuana businesses in their community.
Municipalities that voted to either say no or are preparing to say no to cannabis include:
Florham Park unanimously approved a resolution opposing the legalization of recreational marijuana by the state as well as an ordinance “prohibiting marijuana within all zones” in the township.
The proposed ordinance requires a second reading and vote to be adopted. Prior to a vote an ordinance is always open to comment from the public and the council members.
The next Sparta Township Council meeting is scheduled for October 9 at 7:30 p.m. at town hall.
Without comment and as part of a package of 10 otherwise routine resolutions, the Township Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution opposing the legalization of recreational marijuana by the state.
The council also introduced, again without comment and by a unanimous vote, an ordinance "prohibiting marijuana within all zones" in the township.