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.
A Brick Township company that is seeking permission from state and local authorities to open a medical marijuana dispensary will be waiting a bit longer for some answers.
Jersey Shore Therapeutic Health Care filed one of the 146 applications that the state Department of Health received for the six new licenses being made available for alternative treatment centers. The state, when it accepted applications in August, had said it expected to notify applicants by Nov. 1 whether they would receive a license.
The Town Council took its first public look at pending state legislation to legalize medicinal marijuana but will hold off, for now, a look at recreational pot facilities.
Mayor Timothy Dougherty said he is open to medicinal marijuana and noted he wants to zone where such dispensaries could be located.