Cherry Hill Bans Recreational Pot, Sets Timeline To Reconsider

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill Council has officially banned the sale of recreational marijuana in the township, for now. But township officials also set a timeline for when they will revisit the issue when they voted at their meeting Monday night.

“Enacting something before we see the regulations is like signing a contract without reading the fine print,” Cherry Hill Council President David Fleisher said.

After New Jersey voters approved the use of recreational marijuana through a referendum in November, municipalities statewide were given until Aug. 22 to make a decision. However, the state’s cannabis commission won’t issue regulations concerning recreational marijuana until Aug. 21.

This means governing bodies have to introduce a proposed ordinance, give the public time to weigh in and hold a final vote without seeing what the regulations will be.

Each municipality has three options. They can prohibit the sale of cannabis in their municipalities, lifting that prohibition at any time. They can allow the sale of cannabis, but it has to be permitted for at least five years. Or, they can do nothing, and lose all control over the regulation of the sale of cannabis in their townships.

With no word on hard regulations from the state, Cherry Hill has chosen to pursue the first option, at least for now.

Cherry Hill Councilwoman Carol Roskoph said Gov. Phil Murphy signed the legislation in February, so the township has had six months to study the issue.

“Six months is long enough,” Roskoph said. “I understand why we waited, but I don’t want to wait another six months.”

While voting to prohibit the operation of any cannabis business within the township, Roskoph insisted on a timeline for revisiting the issue. She suggested the following:

• By mid-September, all members of council have read the regulations and posed their questions to Cherry Hill Mayor Susan Shin Angulo;
• By Oct. 1, the township has received a report in which the police department voices their concerns;
• By Nov. 1, the township has received a report on the zoning impacts of such legislation;
• By Dec. 1, Cherry Hill Council has had a discussion on the tax impacts of having recreational marijuana dispensaries in the township;
• By Jan. 1, the township hosts a town hall meeting for members of the public to weigh in; and
• By Feb. 1, Cherry Hill Council makes a decision on how to move forward.

Fleisher said the timeline seems reasonable, but added that the longer they wait, the longer they will be able to see how having a marijuana dispensary impacts other municipalities who have already voted to allow them.

Cherry Hill Council’s decision only impacts whether to have dispensaries within the township’s borders. The question whether to legalize recreational marijuana has already been decided by the voters, with voter turnout in Cherry Hill coming out to about 66 percent of residents who are in favor.

There is also no question as to if it will be sold in the township because delivery services are permitted to deliver anywhere in the state. That decision rested with the state, and not local officials.

“I’m happy to hear there will be a timeline,” one resident said during the public hearing. “I’m concerned that we could be missing out on revenue. I think property values will increase, and it will bring in increased revenue for the community.”

“I commend you for your leadership and courage,” resident Jamell Rosario told council. “It hasn’t even come out, and it’s already being regulated. You don’t need marijuana tax dollars.”

Seventeen residents spoke during the public hearing, with a little more than half the residents opposing the ban. Some applauded the timeline, and some said the township absolutely needs the public’s input before making a decision.

Cherry Hill Council approved the ban with a unanimous vote of 6-0.

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