Recreational Marijuana Businesses Possible In Gloucester Township

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Four months after Township Council ruled that recreational marijuana businesses could operate as a permitted use in Gloucester Township, two such businesses appear on their way to setting up shop.

Gloucester Township Council gave final approval Monday night to a proposed ordinance that would allow an alternative treatment center to operate a medicinal marijuana dispensary that also includes a marijuana retail dispensary in the township’s highway commercial district.

The ordinance includes a letter of support from the township, as required by the state's Cannabis Regulatory Commission.

Alternative treatment centers are licensed by the state to dispense medical marijuana, similar to how pharmacies are licensed to distribute prescription drugs, according to Gloucester Township Planner Ken Lechner. Pharmacies are already permitted uses in the highway commercial district.

“There’s already a Rite Aid and a liquor store on Blackwood-Clementon Road,” Hugh Giordano, a union representative and organizer for the UFCW Local 152, said during the public hearing. “This is no different.”

The resident of the Blackwood section of the township reiterated points he previously made about security measures at the facilities, and how they create jobs and economic benefits for the township. Read more here: Recreational Marijuana Businesses Approved In Gloucester Township

Some residents complained of the odor created by such facilities, pointing to the facility in Bellmawr.

“To some extent, it would be in comparison to putting in a Burger King,” resident Ray Polidoro said. “When you go by Burger King, you smell flame-broiled burgers. “You can’t go down 42 freeway on certain days without it reeking of the smell. It’s like a vegetarian going by a Burger King.”

Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins said he was involved in the discussions in crafting the legislation regarding recreational marijuana, and said there is a clause about the filtration system and odor control.

“It is a concern, but it’s in the ordinance that was passed,” said Harkins, who said the police department will be monitoring the facilities and adjusting as needed.

Township Council also approved a resolution authorizing an agreement with Resinate Bliss to lease property at 553 Berlin-Cross Keys Road to operate a cannabis cultivator and/or manufacturer.

Resinate Bliss has three locations in Massachusetts. Melissa Reilly, an attorney with McCarter & English Law Firm, spoke about the company briefly during the public comment portion of Monday’s meeting.

“This is not an agreement, this is not a lease,” Reilly said, stating that the purpose was to make the landlords aware that, “we would very much love to use the township’s property, pay the township monthly for use of the property, as well as paying the township the 2 percent tax on the cultivation and the 2 percent tax on the manufacturing. We’re looking forward to hopefully working with the township.”

The resolution “expresses the township’s desire to work with Resinate Bliss,” she said. Township Solicitor David Carlamere said the resolution states the township won’t negotiate with anyone else as it relates to this property.

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission began taking applications from cannabis growers and manufacturers on Wednesday, and saw 500 applications in the first four hours, the Courier Post reports. Applications for marijuana dispensaries open March 15.

See related: NJ Marijuana Market Rules Approved: Here's What We Know