Recreational Marijuana Businesses Approved For Moorestown

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Recreational marijuana establishments that are licensed by the state will now be permitted to operate in Moorestown after legislation that was passed at Monday night's council meeting.

Moorestown Council unanimously approved the proposed ordinance to allow recreational marijuana to be sold in the township as a conditional use in specific areas by a vote of 5-0.

This includes the area of the Moorestown Mall, East Gate Square Shopping Center and along portions of Route 38. They wouldn't be permitted on Main Street or Lenola.

Resident Mark Hines, who worked on a sub-committee that explored the impact of permitting recreational marijuana businesses in Moorestown, reminded everyone the vote was not about the legality or delivery of cannabis in Moorestown.

“It’s good for local investment, and there are limitations,” Hines said during the public hearing. Read more here: Moorestown Council Hears Recommendations For Recreational Pot

He pointed out that Cinnaminson, Delran and Mount Laurel have already voted to permit recreational marijuana in their municipalities.

In Camden County, Gloucester Township on Monday night also voted to permit recreational marijuana, while Cherry Hill has decided to ban it, at least temporarily.

Hugh Giordano, a union representative and organizer for the UFCW Local 152, suggested that after the legislation passed, the township go back and look at a merit-based application system, similar to what is used in Bayonne. The system considers labor standards, environmental standards and ownership standards to make sure micro-businesses have a fair shot.

“Big businesses are coming in from Canada, and we need to protect Moorestown’s working class,” Giordano said.

But council had to make sure it passed something Monday night. Municipalities statewide have until Aug. 22 to make a decision, and Moorestown Council next meets on Aug. 23. The township can always expand legislation at a later date, Township Manager Kevin Aberant said.

Each municipality has three options. They can prohibit the sale of cannabis in their municipalities, lifting that prohibition at any time. They can allow the sale of cannabis, but it has to be permitted for at least five years. Or, they can do nothing, and lose all control over the regulation of the sale of cannabis in their townships.

Moorestown is looking to take control of how it is handled locally from the start. It intends to award four licenses, including two for bigger businesses and two for micro, or local, businesses.

It also intends to take any money collected from taxes and dedicate it to local efforts, such as economic redevelopment, youth programs, parks or community policing.

For some council members, there was also the matter de-stigmatizing marijuana use.

“This is an appropriate step at this time,” Mayor Nicole Gillespie said. “A lot of time and effort went into this. Where it is already legal in general, there has been no increase in crime. We took cautious steps. We are creating jobs. The history of how cannabis became stigmatized is not one of the proudest moments in our country’s history.”

“I did research and found that it was illegal because of racism,” Deputy Mayor Sue Mammarella said. “I never thought about that before. I’m happy to participate in the great experiment.”

The ban on marijuana has generally come to be recognized as having roots in prejudice against Mexican immigrants and African Americans.

“Today is a special day in Moorestown,” Councilman Quinton Law said. “The conversation has been incredible, and I’m proud of it. I’m proud to reserve tax revenue for social programs and reserve some licenses for small businesses. It’s another tool to keep taxes low. A lot of people are excited, and a lot of people had concerns. We addressed those concerns through the ordinance.”

“I’m happy with the way this turned out,” Councilman Jake Van Dyken said. “I’m happy we have two licenses for major players, and two licenses for smaller businesses.”

Councilman Dave Zipin spoke about responding to the voices in the community.

“We had the unique opportunity to get feedback from the public in the form of a referendum,” Zipin said. “Everyone had the chance to express themselves, and it will be exciting if this flourishes for the business districts.”

No one spoke against the proposal at Monday night’s meeting, but when the proposal was initially introduced, former Medford Mayor and current Moorestown resident Chris Buoni accused the township of moving too fast in its consideration, and of “chasing money.” Read more here: Moorestown Discusses Possibilities For Recreational Marijuana Law

The proposed ordinance prohibits public consumption and sales to anyone who is already intoxicated. It also prohibits the business’ signs from including any images, or any slang terms that are used for cannabis, including marijuana, weed or pot.

The state cannabis regulatory commission will release its recommendations on Aug. 21, one day before municipalities are required to tell the state their plans for permitting businesses within their borders. Many expect that the state will limit the number of licenses to be distributed statewide to 25.

The state has established six types of licenses:

• Class 1: Cannabis Cultivator license, for facilities involved in growing and cultivating cannabis;
• Class 2: Cannabis Manufacturer license, for facilities involved m the manufacturing, preparation, and packaging of cannabis items;
• Class 3: Cannabis Wholesaler license, for facilities involved in obtaining and selling cannabis items for later resale by other licensees;
• Class 4: Cannabis Distributor license, for businesses involved in transporting cannabis plants in bulk from one licensed cultivator to another licensed cultivator, or cannabis items in bulk from any type of licensed cannabis business to another;
• Class 5: Cannabis Retailer license for locations at which cannabis items and related supplies are sold to consumers; and
• Class 6: Cannabis Delivery license, for businesses providing courier services for consumer purchases that are fulfilled by a licensed cannabis retailer in order to make deliveries of the purchased items to a consumer. It also includes services that would include the ability of a consumer to make a purchase directly through the cannabis delivery service which would be presented by the delivery service for fulfillment by a retailer and then delivered to a consumer.

Anyone holding a Class 1, 2, or 5 is subject to a 2 percent municipal transfer tax on the lawful sale of marijuana, and those with a Class 3 license are subject to a 1 percent tax.