Brick Ban On Retail Sale Of Recreational Marijuana Up For A Vote

BRICK, NJ — A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday night on an ordinance that would ban the retail sale of marijuana in Brick Township is set for Tuesday night at the Brick Township Council meeting.

The ordinance comes as New Jersey officials announced a deal has been reached on efforts to legalize the adult recreational use of marijuana in the state.

The proposed Brick Township ordinance would "prohibit the retail sale, cultivation, manufacturing and testing of marijuana products for recreational use" within Brick. It would impose fines of up to $500 and a possible 90-day jail sentence for violations.

Legislation to legalize recreational marijuana use by adults is likely to be voted on in May, but it will likely be at least six months to a year before it is sold in stores because the regulatory process will have to be developed, lawmakers told Patch. Read more: Final Deal On NJ Marijuana Legalization: Here's When It Will Come

The ordinance was introduced at the Feb. 26 council meeting, with Councilman Jim Fozman abstaining from the vote because he wanted more time to read the ordinance and research the matter.

Fozman, who has been at odds with the council and township administration for months following a falling out with Mayor John G. Ducey, questioned at the time whether Ducey had suggested the proposed ordinance.

Council President Andrea Zapcic told Fozman the ordinance was suggested by the council's land use committee.

Ducey has been under fire from a group of residents opposing the application by Jersey Shore Therapeutic Health Care for a proposed medical marijuana facility, because Ducey's brother-in-law is the firm's chief of security. The opponents of the facility have accused Ducey of having a conflict of interest, despite the fact that he does not sit on the Board of Adjustment, where the application was being heard.

Jersey Shore Therapeutic Health Care, which was not among the six medical marijuana applications approved by the state Department of Health to go forward with the permitting process, last week withdrew its application to the zoning board. Attorney Dennis Galvin said the group instead will be submitting a revised site plan to the planning board for the property at 385 Adamston Road for the cultivation and manufacturing of marijuana, "which is a permitted agricultural use." The property sits in a rural residential zone, which allows for farming activities.

The Township Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the township's municipal building and the agenda includes preliminary budget presentations and a full list of resolutions before the hearing on the ordinance.

If you are attending the meeting, take note that there will be a metal detector and security screening for all entering the council meeting.

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