Holmdel Twp Committee Considers Approving Pot Growers In Town

HOLMDEL, NJ - Several municipal officials in Holmdel have voiced their support for providing approval for local farmers to grow marijuana in town - while others are vehemently opposing cannabis in all forms within Holmdel borders.

At a June 22 township committee meeting, the governing body discussed potentially introducing an ordinance to approve the growth of pot in town. But while Committeeman Prakash Santhana, Committeeman Tom Critelli and Committeeman DJ Luccarelli stated their support for the ordinance, arguing that local farms would be provided with more lucrative options, Mayor Gregory Buontempo and Deputy Mayor Cathy Weber showed their opposition to both the sale and cultivation of marijuana in the township. In fact, both supported a motion to fully ban the growth of pot in Holmdel.

"I would just like to state that I am opposed to this ordinance because I oppose both the retail sale and the growing of cannabis in town,” Weber said.

"My understanding, although not in depth in this field, is that it's an environmentally controlled environment where buildings go up and it could be multi-story greenhouses and I'm not sure they're going to fit in with the character with our town," Buontempo said.

"To be candid, I was also opposed to both the retail sales and the growing of cannabis," Santhana said. "However, because of the need to get revenue, because we're going to be losing revenue shortly, we're going to need to have the door open. In fact, my exact words were, 'keep the door a little ajar.' As long as it's not the sale of cannabis but it's a farm and it's a controlled situation, not hurting the neighbors and it's providing the town some revenue, we need to stay open to that possibility."

While New Jersey voters opted to approve legalization of marijuana during the November 2020 general election 67.1 percent to 32.9 percent, local municipalities can still ban pot businesses from selling or cultivating in town. In Monmouth County, the vote breaks down to an even-closer 65.6 percent to 34.4 percent.

The ordinance was eventually tabled for review. A revised form of the ordinance is planned for introduction during a July meeting.

Any action will need to be taken by the Township Committee by July 2021 as the exact deadline to pass an ordinance banning or limiting the number of cannabis establishments and establishing civil penalties for violation of ordinances is Aug. 21, according to the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Related: Marijuana Is Legal In NJ. But Can Towns Still Ban It?

Holmdel residents should also know that, regardless of what businesses can operate in town, it won't limit their ability to consume cannabis or get cannabis delivered from an outside service. 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. Read more: 5 Things You Need To Know About Marijuana Legalization In NJ

Watch the full meeting below: