New Taxes Introduced In Cranford: See What Could Change

CRANFORD, NJ — The Cranford Township Committee presented an ordinance on Tuesday night that would apply a tax to cannabis products sold in the community.

Cranford has opted out of all cannabis licensing in the Township. The tax would apply to products sold in other categories of stores, such as intoxicating hemp products sold by liquor establishments.

"You have a cannabis tax, but you can't get weed here?" Edward "Lefty" Grimes, Treasurer of the nonprofit SativaCross.org, asked the commissioners at the meeting.

Sativa Cross is a group that fights for the rights of patients who use cannabis and/or are physically disabled.

Ordinance 2026-02 would amend the Township Code to include a "Cannabis Transfer Tax" of two percent per sale by a cannabis cultivator, two percent per sale by a cannabis manufacturer, one percent per sale by a cannabis wholesaler, two percent of each sale by an alternative treatment center (or medical cannabis establishment), and two percent of each sale by a cannabis retailer.

A "user tax" would also be implemented based on the same rates.

The establishments, not users, would be liable to impose and collect both taxes.

Both of these new fees would be in addition to any other taxes or fees in place for cannabis property or businesses.

A public hearing and consideration for adoption of the ordinance will occur at the Township Committee meeting on March 10.

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