Recreational Marijuana Rules Tightened In Mendham: Mayor

MENDHAM, NJ — The Mendham Borough Council performed some “good basic housekeeping” at its Monday night meeting for a marijuana ordinance already on the books, according to the town’s mayor.

The council decided unanimously to adopt a strengthened ordinance, Mayor Christine Serrano-Glassner told Patch in a phone interview on Wednesday, adding in a penalty for “illegal commercial sales," she said, “for businesses operating in cannabis sales without a municipal or state license.”

The state of New Jersey made towns decide by Aug. 22 — ahead of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission setting rules — if they would allow recreational marijuana businesses to operate.

The borough adopted its ordinance to ban recreational cannabis sales on May 24, 2021, Serrano-Glassner said.

When towns needed to make decisions, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s rules were not yet in place, she added.

Many nearby towns like Mendham borough adopted prohibition ordinances for recreational marijuana businesses including Chester borough, Chester township, Mendham township and Washington township.

Towns that allowed recreational marijuana sales ahead of the Regulatory Commission rules, Serrano-Glassner said, would need to stick with that decision for five years.

At the meeting, the council also accepted the resignation of Council Member Mary Sue Martin, who resigned on Jan. 17 “for personal reasons,” Serrano-Glassner said. The borough’s Republican committee will next recommend to the council up to three candidates to take Martin’s unexpired term through Dec. 31.

Carolynn Budd — who had served as an administrative assistant and clean communities and recycling coordinator for the borough — was also officially appointed as the deputy clerk during the meeting. Her appointment followed the resignation of the borough's Clerk Robin Kline, who resigned the week of Jan. 17. The borough plans to hire a new administrative assistant for the borough's public works department where Budd had worked, Serrano-Glassner said.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.