Marijuana Discussion Continues In Cinnaminson

CINNAMINSON, NJ — A sub-committee that was formed to explore how the legalization of recreational marijuana will impact Cinnaminson is will meet next month, Deputy Mayor Stephanie Kravil said during Monday night’s Township Committee meeting.

Kravil, Committeeman Ernest McGill, Township Administrator Eric Schubiger and Police Chief Richard Calabrese were members of a sub-committee that was formed in 2018 when it appeared that the state would be legalizing marijuana for recreational use.

It was formed when the township committee delayed a vote on how it would be handled locally because a state vote was canceled. Read more here: Cinnaminson Committee Delays Vote On Recreational Marijuana Ban

In the days after New Jersey residents voted to legalize recreational marijuana use in November, Kravil said the sub-committee would be revived. There hasn’t been much action since, but Kravil said the members have been notified that they will meet to continue the discussion in April.

There are many aspects of the law that will be up for discussion, including whether you will be able to buy it in Cinnaminson.

When state lawmakers crafted the legalization bill, they left room for individual municipalities to ban or limit the number of cannabis businesses operating in their communities. This includes dispensaries, delivery services and cultivators. Read more here: Marijuana Is Legal In NJ. But Can Towns Still Ban It?

The state is establishing a regulatory commission that will both regulate New Jersey's medical cannabis marketplace and provide oversight for the soon-to-be-established adult-use recreational cannabis marketplace, Gov. Phil Murphy has announced.

While the state law supersedes local law, there are some things local officials will have control over. They can limit hours of operation, location, manner and the number of cannabis businesses in their community.

They can both ban retailers, producers, etc. outright and ban them from operating in certain areas. They can also choose to ban just one type of business, which means they could choose to not allow dispensaries, but allow a cultivation center to operate within the municipality.

To maintain control over the use of recreational marijuana in their municipality, local governments have 180 days to pass new ordinances. Ordinances that existed before marijuana was legalized will no longer be valid.

Any local government that doesn't take initial action will have to wait five years before it is permitted to prohibit the future operation of anyone or more classes of cannabis establishment. They can reevaluate and pass new ordinances every five years.

There are aspects to the law that local governments have no control over. The bill as Murphy signed it last month prohibited a police officer from notifying parents if their teenage son or daughter (under 21) was found with marijuana or alcohol for the first time. For a first violation, the officer could only give a written warning to the teen, and the officer can record their name, address and birthday.

And while residents are still not legally allowed to drive after using marijuana, there are restrictions on how police can enforce laws under the new state legislation.

Adults 21 and over are allowed to consume cannabis on private property. Cannabis has also been decriminalized in New Jersey, and you can possess up to six ounces of marijuana or 17 grams of hashish without penalty.

Though New Jersey residents can't grow marijuana at home, it's legal to buy up to an ounce of cannabis at a licensed dispensary, whenever they open.

During previous discussions about the issue, there were Cinnaminson residents who favored legalizing marijuana, and there were those who were opposed to it. Polls taken before last year’s elections showed residents overwhelmingly favored legalization.

With reporting by Patch staff writers Montana Samuels, Eric Kiefer and Alexis Tarrazi