Marijuana Retail Ordinance Off The Table: Mahwah Council

MAHWAH, NJ — An ordinance allowing retail sales of cannabis at the site of an old gas station in Mahwah has been taken off Thursday's Township Council docket, officials said.

Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki requested the ordinance be taken off the agenda, the township announced Wednesday on Facebook. The township will not discuss the proposed location, at 231 Route 17 North, any longer.

"While the idea of cannabis sales in Mahwah may still be discussed at a future advertised Township Council meeting, those discussions will not include the proposed location in Ordinance 1959," the post said.

Council members George Ervin and Kim Bolan posted statements on their Facebook pages.

"After many, in-depth, conversations with constituents, administration, and other Council members, I am pleased to report that we can now put this proposed ordinance to rest," Ervin said. "Thank you all for your input!"

"As far as I’m concerned, the laws for recreational and medicinal cannabis should be consistent and set at the state level, rather than putting the onus on local municipalities. If medicinal zoning is restricted at the state level, recreational should be held to the same restrictions and standards," Bolan said.

The proposed site is close to two nursery schools and a place of worship, according to NorthJersey.com. In late February, the Mahwah Planning Board suggested that marijuana retailers be no closer than 1,000 feet of such facilities.

"If this were a medicinal cannabis dispensary application, the state statute would prohibit it from being permitted less than 1,000 ft from schools, houses of worship etc.," Bolan said.