Medical Marijuana In Lacey? Recreational Ban? Committee Discusses

LACEY, NJ — With recreational marijuana legalization potentially coming soon to New Jersey, Lacey officials discussed the future of dispensaries in town. The Township Committee introduced two ordinances Thursday: one to allow a medical marijuana dispensary in the business park and another prohibiting recreational dispensaries in the township.

New Jersey voters will decide in the November election whether to legalize recreational marijuana in the Garden State. If it passes, state legislature would need to decide on the details and regulations.

But some municipal governments have considered or passed ordinances to ban recreational distribution in the event that it becomes legal in New Jersey. Lacey officials are seeking the public's input on both of their proposed ordinances.

"I’ve always been for medicinal (use)," said Committeeman Timothy McDonald. "And I think keeping it down in the business park makes a whole lot more sense than letting it out anywhere in Lacey Township."

Committeeman Nicholas Juliano said he used to be on the "borderline" of the medical marijuana discussion. Then a family member with rheumatoid arthritis met with a doctor about taking it.

His family member was in pain and couldn't walk. But medical marijuana helped the pain subside, and he or she can walk somewhat now, Juliano said. This helped shape his beliefs in support of "very well-regulated" medical marijuana, he said.

But Deputy Mayor Peter Curatolo hesitated about allowing a medical marijuana dispensary in town. He also said if he votes against the medical marijuana ordinance, he may be in the minority on the five-member township committee.

"I’ve often asked people what are the public health or public safety benefits of having a dispensary in your town?" Curatolo said. "I just can’t get a good answer. I would much rather, if somebody is in need of medical marijuana, it’s prescribed, by all means. ... I would just rather someone bought it in some other town."

Mayor Steven Kennis and Committeeman Mark Dykoff both thought it might make sense to wait and see how the state votes on marijuana. Dykoff expressed support for a dispensary in town, while Kennis said he felt "conflicted" on the issue.

"My instinct would be to wait to see what the state does," Kennis said. "I think that would be better for us making a decision. However, sometimes our hands get forced in this. I do understand where Pete’s coming from."

The New Jersey Marijuana Legalization Amendment is on the ballot Nov. 3. A "yes" vote supports legalizing the possession and use of marijuana for people 21 and older for cultivation, processing and sale of retail marijuana.

Recreational use of marijuana is legal in 11 states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. The District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam have also legalized cannabis.

Watch the full Township Committee meeting below:

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Lacey Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.