CHATHAM, NJ — Many municipalities throughout New Jersey have adopted cannabis business prohibition ordinances until the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission finalizes its rules.
Chatham Township has fine-tuned its business prohibition ordinance with a supplement for “police powers.”
The township had its marijuana business prohibition rules on the books in April, banning all types of cannabis businesses from operating within its borders. Many municipalities are waiting until there’s more guidance from the Cannabis Regulatory Commission on business operation rules, before allowing any types of cannabis businesses.
Chatham Township’s supplement now adds to its “Police Regulations” section of its code books, with a special category “Operation and Licensing of Cannabis Businesses Prohibited.”
The amendment strengthens the existing general municipal codes on marijuana businesses to “make clear that the intent of the Township is to prohibit the operation and licensing of all cannabis businesses,” within Chatham Township. As part of it, the latest ordinance reiterated that all types of cannabis businesses, including delivery services, are unable to open currently within Chatham Township.
The ordinance, however, clarified, deliveries are still permitted in the township to residents at their homes, who are of the legal age, to purchase recreational cannabis, from services outside of Chatham Township.
As Janice Kovach, President of New Jersey’s League of Municipalities and Clinton’s mayor told the Cannabis Regulatory Commission at its June 1 meeting, “Opting out [of permitting cannabis businesses] does not necessarily mean ‘no,’ and in some cases it means ‘maybe later.'”
“Municipalities are delaying decisions until they know all the rules,” Kovach said, recommending towns should also be allowed to have local control and if need be, revoke business licenses of those not operating properly.
As the regulations currently stand, which is why many municipalities are holding off until the commission finalizes its rules, once government bodies allow a cannabis business to operate within its borders, they need to stick with that decision for five years.
Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.
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