Lacey Voters Oppose Sale, Cultivation Of Marijuana In Town

LACEY, NJ — Lacey voters chose to ban the sale and cultivation of recreational marijuana in town, according to the results of a ballot referendum question.

Though 64 percent of Lacey residents who voted were in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults last year, spirited conversations ensued among Lacey's all-Republican committee over whether it should be sold and grown in town.

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Republican incumbent Committeemen Mark Dykoff and Timothy McDonald, who won new three year-terms in office, proposed putting a referendum question on the local ballot in November to let Lacey residents decide.

The question tallied 4,831 'yes' votes to 5,488 'no' votes.

The referendum does not impact medical marijuana operations, which the township passed an ordinance to permit in its industrial park in 2019.

Advocates of recreational marijuana spoke at several committee meetings earlier this year to say how towns could benefit from the sale of marijuana through job creation and tax revenue.

Mayor Peter Curatolo argued that safety and health concerns for the town's youth outweigh the potential benefits.

“When you talk about revenue from recreational marijuana, you heard me say it and I always say look at the numbers, don't trust what people say, 2% at $20 million is $20,000, that won't pay for overtime for the police for three weeks,” Curatolo told News12. “I think the people saw that and they voted in a great majority over 600 votes passed."

Several community members and residents expressed concerns related to the sale of recreational marijuana during previous meetings, including Police Chief Michael DiBella, school board members and residents.

Curatolo has noted that residents will be able to buy recreational marijuana legally in other nearby towns that have allowed it, such as South Toms River and Lakehurst.

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