Manalapan Officials Adopt Cannabis Biz Ban Ordinance

MANALAPAN, NJ - The primary governing body of Manalapan Township unanimously voted to ban all cannabis-related businesses in the municipality following a Wednesday night public hearing.

Municipalities across the state are now scrambling to meet the Aug. 21 deadline to pass an ordinance banning or limiting the number of cannabis establishments and establishing civil penalties for violation of ordinances. If a town does nothing or waits until after the deadline, cannabis retailers, growers, distributors, manufacturers and delivery services will be allowed to move into existing industrial and retail zones in the state.

At the Wednesday meeting, Manalapan officials noted that, if legislation banning all cannabis businesses is passed by the town before the Aug. 21 date, the governing body can at least revisit the existing law when more clear regulations are provided by the state.

Mayor Jack McNaboe added that the township has leaned in favor of banning cannabis businesses in part due to the heavy security necessitated by grow sites, as well as the law enforcement resources needed if a security alarm were to go off at a grow site.

"When I started hearing words like 'microgrow,' and the small size of [cultivation areas] and the volume ... I started thinking about security of these operations, the tax and the licensing that comes with it," McNaboe said. "I cannot come up with the money for why it made sense in Manalapan. You'd never build a shopping mall, a warehouse or anything if there wasn't a financial advantage for the town to do it."

However, not all Manalapan residents were happy with the proposed ordinance banning all six forms of cannabis businesses - cultivators, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and delivery services - in the municipality.

“I’m a hundred percent service-connected disabled veteran. Prior to me consuming cannabis," said Manalapan resident Freddie Herero. "My PTSD was so severe that I even ended up homeless. I almost could’ve been a part of that 22-a-day,” Herero said, referring to the number of veterans who take their lives every day.

“Cannabis actually did save my life a lot. With my PTSD, it helped me concentrate a lot better," Herero continued. "I was able to graduate college last month and, starting this fall, I’ll be getting my masters at Columbia University as well. This has all been because of what cannabis has done for me … I’m hoping soon to apply for licensing applications out here. My ultimate goal is to help other veterans, homeless veterans as well.”

Several other municipalities in Monmouth County are considering pot's role in town: Holmdel, Freehold and Colts Neck have similarly taken steps to have an outright ban on pot retailers, manufacturers and cultivators within town limits.

Manalapan residents should know that, regardless of what businesses can operate in town, it won't limit the 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

You can watch the full meeting video here.