Public Hearing On Howell’s Cannabis Biz Ban Set For July 13

HOWELL, NJ - The five-member Howell Township Council is set to discuss a proposed ordinance banning cannabis-related businesses from operating in the municipality at the July 13 meeting, among other issues, according to municipal documents.

A public hearing - rescheduled from June 15 - and expected vote on the measure is expected to take place at the meeting.

“The Township Council of the Township of Howell has determined that, due to present uncertainties regarding the potential future impacts that allowing one or more classes of cannabis business might have on New Jersey municipalities in general, and on the Township of Howell in particular, it is at this time necessary and appropriate, and in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of Howell’s residents … to amend Howell’s zoning regulations and police regulations to prohibit all manner of marijuana-related land use and development within the geographic boundaries of the Township of Howell,” the ordinance reads.

Although New Jersey voters approved the legalization of marijuana during the November 2020 general election 67.1 percent to 32.9 percent, local municipalities can still bar businesses from selling cannabis in town (in Monmouth County, the vote breaks down to 65.6 percent to 34.4 percent, with 63.39 percent of Howell voters saying "yes" to weed legalization).

Any action will need to be taken by municipalities quickly 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?

While other municipalities in Monmouth County are still considering pot's role in town, including Manalapan, Holmdel and Marlboro, Freehold and Colts Neck have taken steps to fully ban pot retailers, manufacturers and cultivators within town limits.

Howell Township Attorney Joseph Clark has said that the ordinance will serve as a temporary ban that will allow the council to revisit the issue without the stringent time restraint.

"If we don't move to ban it and we allow all six classes of cannabis to be legal in Howell, we don't have another opportunity to opt out of that law for five years," Clark said. "After that five-year period, after we do opt out, everything is grandfathered in ... [in] this way, we get to ban it for now, and we can revisit it when there are more rules and regulations in place when we see how other towns are faring with their tax revenues. The one thing we can't ban because of state law ... is the delivery of it into Howell."

Howell 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

Here are the other highlights on the agenda:

• Proclamation honoring Paul Schneider
• Resolution authorizing a permit for a fireworks display at the Festival da Cultura Portuguesa on Sept. 11 at Cruz Golf Country Club
• Resolution authorizing the mayor and clerk to submit a grant application and execute a grant contract with the NJDOT for the Aldrich Road West project
• Resolution authorizing the acceptance of a grant for police body-worn cameras in the amount of $489,120. Read more: Howell Police To Receive $489K Grant For Body-Worn Cameras
• Resolution awarding $34,000 award contract for Pavement Management Program
• Resolution awarding $32,000 award contract for Pavement Management Program

You can read the full meeting agenda here.

The Howell Township Council meeting will be in-person in the main meeting room at the Howell Township Municipal Building (4567 Route 9 North, second floor). It will also air live at 7 p.m. on the Howell Township YouTube channel. The meeting will begin with an executive session at 6 p.m.