SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick introduced an ordinance prohibiting all cannabis business operations in the township during Tuesday’s council meeting.
This was the first reading of the ordinance that bans farming, development, and sale of marijuana. Only cannabis testing facilities are permitted to operate in town.
At the meeting, Hugh Giordano from United Food and Commercial Workers Union representing marijuana workers urged the council not to pass the ordinance. Giordano said the cannabis business “creates good jobs,” and attracts an educated workforce.
“New Jersey has some of the best labor laws in the country when it comes to cannabis,” said Giordano.
“These jobs are going come with a living wage, healthcare, dental, vision, sick time, retirement. These are real careers, and they attract an educated workforce.”
Giordano said the jobs will create an “economic boom” and explained that many workers need degrees in chemistry, horticulture, etc., before joining the industry.
“Even if you decide to prohibit adult-use, maybe consider medical for sick people and dying people,” Giordano said. He also offered to invite the Council and South Brunswick Police Chief to the Garden State dispensary to see the process of growing, cultivating, and selling.
Mayor Charlie Carley invited Giordano to meet with Township Manager Bryan Bidlack and the governing body to discuss the matter further. “It’s a nuanced issue. It’s not black and white and we’re always ready to learn,” said Carley.
South Brunswick decided to opt-out of cannabis businesses ahead of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission unveiling rules.
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission is expected to roll out its rules and regulations governing the marijuana industry in August. Around the same time, municipalities must pass ordinances banning all cannabis businesses or limiting their presence in town.
This leaves many townships in a tough spot as it forces municipalities to make their choice before reviewing the new regulations.
New Jersey voters approved recreational marijuana in November 2020. But it wasn’t legal until Gov. Phil Murphy signed the official framework into law on Feb. 22 this year.
Read More Here: 5 Things You Need To Know About Marijuana Legalization In NJ
When the legalization bill was crafted, lawmakers left room for municipalities to ban or limit the number of cannabis businesses operating in their communities. Local governments have a 180-day period from when the bill was enacted to pass a law banning cannabis businesses.
They will be able to repeal or alter their ordinances afterward. If they don’t pass an ordinance in that time, not only will marijuana businesses be allowed to operate, but local officials won’t have another chance to issue a ban for the next five years.
The ordinance will be brought before the council on July 27, and it’s expected to pass during the meeting. To read the township’s ordinance, click here.
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