Cinnaminson Committee Delays Vote On Recreational Marijuana Ban

CINNAMINSON, NJ - Like the State of New Jersey, Cinnaminson is not in a hurry to make a decision on recreational marijuana.

Cinnaminson Township Committee tabled a proposed ordinance to prohibit the operation of marijuana retailers in the township during Monday night's meeting at the municipal building.

The matter will be considered in the new year. It concerns only retail, and not medicinal marijuana.

Last week, state officials confirmed that no vote on legalizing marijuana for recreational use in the state is scheduled to take place this year, and it wasn’t clear when that would happen. The “Marijuana Legalization Act” would allow users 21 years old and up to possess up to an ounce of pot.

Last month, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee vote was 7-4 in favor, while the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted 7-3 to advance the bill. The move was significant because New Jersey had planned a full Legislature vote by Oct. 29, but continued disagreement over the legislation delayed it.

The delay gives Cinnaminson more of a chance to consider its options. On Nov. 19, township committee approved the proposal on introduction so that it could be up for a final vote by the end of the year if need be, Mayor Don Brauckmann said.

Since then, township officials have spoken with residents and State Sen. Troy Singleton, as well as a township that was among the first six approved to open a medicinal marijuana dispensary in the state.

“No one has been able to tell me how many dispensaries will be permitted statewide,” Brauckmann said. “Could we become a destination for people from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, since we are so close. Or will there be over saturation, with a dispensary on every corner, like Wawa?”

Committee Member Stephanie Kravil volunteered to launch a sub-committee made up of township officials and community members to explore the issue. Deputy Mayor Ernest McGill will also be on the committee, and residents have until Jan. 11 to express interest in joining that committee by contacting the township clerk’s office.

Some residents pushed for the proposal to be put out for a public vote.

“You have to listen to the people who live in this town,” said Lisa Killion-Smith, the Executive Director for Resources for Independent Living New Jersey. “ … I’ve lived in Cinnaminson for 20 years now. We’re a progressive town. This is our opportunity to show people what Cinnaminson’s all about.”

A resident who was opposed to the measure also supported putting it out to a public vote. “Let’s put it on the ballot and see what happens,” he said.

Brauckmann said there wouldn’t be enough time to put the matter out for a referendum.

“Whenever the law passes, towns will have a small window of opportunity to say yes or no,” Brauckmann said. “ … If you don’t act within that window, you might not be able to change it for another five years.”

The state only allows certain times throughout the year for a referendum, and by the time the township organizes and holds the vote, and allows time for the result to become part of the township ordinance, it may be too late. Brauckmann pointed out referendums also cost money.

Residents who were both in favor of and opposed to allowing marijuana retailers in the township spoke during Monday night’s committee meeting.

One retired educator wondered how parents will be able to tell their children marijuana is bad if it is being grown and sold in their hometown. Another responded by saying alcohol is sold in ShopRite, and the dispensary will be under strict rules.

Hugh Giordano, a union representative from Atlantic County, pointed out that dispensaries often have retired cops working security. He also said the dispensaries have the potential to create 100-150 jobs with good salaries and benefits, and that 63 percent of the CEOs in the industry are women.

“We have union workers who deliver alcohol, and they would never risk their jobs by giving a bottle of vodka to a 16-year-old,” Giordano said. “The working class deserves good jobs. They’re begging for them.”

Other residents argued that other towns will jump at the opportunity to bring in a marijuana retailer if it is legalized, and Cinnaminson would be missing out on an opportunity by aggressively banning it.

A woman whose husband prescribes medicine said he prescribes marijuana medicinally, but some of his patients are unable to drive to the closest dispensary, which is in Bellmawr, Camden County. Having a dispensary closer could help them, as well.

“Our concern right now is retail, but it’s only a concern,” Brauckmann said. “We’re not saying we’re definitely going to ban this. No one wants to throw away revenue. You have to be creative about how to get revenue when there is not a lot to be had.”

“We never questioned the validity of medicinal marijuana, this was retail only,” Committee Member Ryan Horner said. “We have to examine how this will impact our current businesses and businesses who might consider moving into the township. I look forward to further discussion.”

Brauckmann said there is a growing list of towns that have banned marijuana dispensaries, and the towns on that list closely resemble Cinnaminson in that they are family-oriented towns.

Here is a list of 47 towns that have moved to ban marijuana sales, manufacturing, farming and other uses within their borders, compiled from articles published in Patch, 94.3 The Point, NJ101.5, The Record and The Star-Ledger as well as ordinances posted on community websites:

• Barnegat
• Berkeley Township
• Bridgeton
• Bridgewater
• Brigantine
• Carlstadt
• Chatham Township
• Clifton
• Cranbury
• East Rutherford
• Elmwood Park
• Emerson
• Fair Haven
• Freehold
• Garfield
• Hasbrouck Heights
• Hawthorne
• Lavallette
• Lodi
• Jamesburg
• Hazlet
• Mahwah
• Manville
• Middletown
• North Haledon
• North Caldwell
• Oakland
• Oceanport
• Point Pleasant Beach
• Ridgewood
• Ringwood
• Seaside Heights
• Sea Girt
• Secaucus
• Shrewsbury
• Spotswood
• Surf City
• Upper Freehold
• Upper Saddle River
• Wall
• Wayne
• Weehawken
• West Caldwell
• West Long Branch
• Westwood
• Woodcliff Lake
• Wyckoff

With reporting by Tom Davis, Patch National Staff .

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