Mahwah Marijuana Ordinance Vote Could Come This Week

MAHWAH, NJ — The Township Committee hosted a special meeting last week to discuss an amendment to the current marijuana ordinance. It presented the council an opportunity to allow one business within the city limits, but everyone left the meeting without a decision.

Now, a vote is expected on the potential update to the ordinance at the committee's Thursday meeting.

Committee members passed an ordinance barring cannabis businesses from opening earlier this year, but will discuss an amendment that would allow one cannabis retailer to open at 231 Route 17 North.

The new ordinance — 1956 — would also establish requirements and restrictions related to security, hours of operation, odor mitigation, signage and tax benefits to the township.

According to NorthJersey.com, the owner of the property is listed as ADPP Enterprises. That company would still have to apply for approval from the Planning Board.

At the meeting, a number of residents spoke against the business location, but not necessarily against a business more generally. Some balked at the idea that a recreational shop would be so close to township schools, while Police Chief Stephen Jaffe said traffic in the area could present an issue, according to NorthJersey.

Township officials created the existing ordinance, which bans cannabis businesses, ahead of a state deadline to do so on Aug. 21, and they weren't alone.

Numerous community officials in the state chose to do so for a few reasons, not the least of which because they could amend the ordinance to allow cannabis businesses at any time.

Had officials decided to allow businesses prior to that August deadline, however, they would have to for five years to consider a ban.

Read more: Marijuana Is Legal In NJ. But Can Towns Still Ban It?

However, if the township decides to allow the business to open on Route 17, it will be allowed to stay open even if Mahwah officials in the future reverse course, and decide to institute a full ban.

That hypothetical is perhaps getting ahead of things, however. For that to matter, the ban has to be reversed at all, which is likely to be determined in a few days.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Town Hall.