Weed Businesses To Be Discussed In Howell Council Special Meeting

HOWELL, NJ — The topic of cannabis will once again go before the Howell Township Council, in a special meeting at 6 p.m. next Tuesday, in the Main Meeting Room of the Municipal Offices.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss how recreational cannabis or medical cannabis should be regulated, zoned and permitted for land use purposes in Howell, according to the township website.

There will be time for the public to speak during the discussion.

The council passed an ordinance back in July prohibiting any type of cannabis business — from cultivators to retailers — to set up shop in Howell.

A few residents spoke during the meeting against passing up on the opportunity for the township to benefit from the revenue and job opportunities that weed businesses could bring.

Mayor Theresa Berger stated during the meeting that she was "very torn" listening to residents and suggested that there should be a timeframe to continue work on this matter "because it is not fair to just let it sit for a long while and possibly lose an opportunity," according to from the minute from this meeting.

The ordinance to ban weed businesses for the time being passed, but council members agreed to decide amongst themselves on a timeframe to revisit the issue. Berger suggested that time should be five months, the minute said.

Marijuana use was legalized in New Jersey last year, but state lawmakers left it up to each town to decide if they wanted to ban or limit the number of dispensaries locally.

There was a 180-day deadline on this decision, so each town must choose how to act in relation to the new state legislation by August 21.

If the town had opted in, it would have been bound to this decision for five years, but by opting the decision can be reversed at any moment.