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New Jersey Towns Weigh Their Cannabis Legalization Options

New Jersey towns are weighing their post-legalization options since we will eventually have adult-use cannabis dispensaries operating throughout the state.

After debating the issue earlier this year, Verona, NJ, has taken up that debate again. Its Mayor, Jack McEvoy, has indicated they may allow a dispensary there.

“Legalizing the recreational sale of marijuana is on the table,” McEvoy said.

“Legislation is going very quickly. A couple of highlights we will be keeping an eye on: If it passes, every town has a choice. If we do nothing, we opt ‘in,’ [and] if you opt in, they are telling us that we are locked in for five years. But you can opt ‘out,’ and we will have 180 days to do so after this is all finalized.”

GTI previously indicated an interest in establishing a dispensary in Verona. However, an agreement could not be reached between GTI and the New Jersey town.

“There’s some back and forth on several issues. One is where the bill funding taxes will go. If it is approved, there are percentages, taxes would be added that a municipality will get,” McEvoy explained.

He went into the details of the licenses for businesses that come to Verona.

“We are keeping an eye on that. We will keep the New Jersey town informed as to when and what legislation will be passing for that,” he said.

Summit and Cannabis Issues in New Jersey Towns

The problem with New Jersey’s strong home rule is that

Even in conservative New Jersey towns where the referendum passed, they are dominated by

Police, loud parents, and businesses are better organized and louder than pro-legalization forces.

Summit, NJ, recently banned adult-use sales from dispensaries in its town but allowed medical cannabis dispensaries. It is a generally conservative, wealthier area where you would not expect a dispensary. Thus, their vote of 6-1 against came as no surprise. That’s even though the cannabis referendum won a majority in the state and the New Jersey town.

However, people will still get delivery there.

Fighting New Jersey Cannabis Legalization

Ward 1 Councilman David Naidu (D) sponsored the initiative. He claimed that the bill does not overturn the popular vote but did not explain why.

“I will say that several of you people have used cannabis in your life. Hundreds if not thousands of your community members use cannabis,” activist Patrick Duff said. “The reason the banned is desired is due to “a stigma created almost a hundred years ago.”

Sativa Cross also protested the ordinance.

A wealthy and comfortable town like Summit has no need to create a new industry to lure business or increase the revenue in its coffers. It is certainly obvious they are wholly indifferent to any social benefit that might come to its people should cannabis come to the town.

Towns like Trenton, Princeton, Jersey City Newark, Edison, Red Bank, Lambertville, and similarly progressive places are where we will most likely we’ll see such businesses welcome, eventually.

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