The township council has voted to permanently ban recreational marijuana businesses from operating, rejecting a less-sweeping prohibition recommended by a study committee.
Council members approved the ban in a 4-1 vote, with two members abstaining due to conflicts. Several members have said they could revisit the marijuana issue — to permit medical marijuana dispensaries.
Only Councilwoman Laurie Huryk voted against an ordinance banning recreational weed businesses.
Toms River residents who were hoping the township would reconsider its ban on retail recreational cannabis businesses appear be out of luck, after the council introduced an ordinance earlier this week to rescind a sunset provision on the ban.
The ordinance, which is set for a second reading and final adoption at the Nov. 23 council meeting, rescinds the Dec. 31 sunset date that was put in place in July when the council passed its ban.
In addition to adopting an ordinance barring businesses that sell, manufacture and distribute weed from operating in town, the council on Tuesday also voted 5 to 1 — with Councilman Josh Kopp abstaining — to introduce a companion measure that sets a Dec. 31 expiration date on the weed business ban.
That will give Toms River's cannabis committee more time to continue its discussions on whether to permit weed-related businesses in the township, and if so, to decide where they should be located.