South Brunswick Drafting Ordinance Banning Cannabis Sale, Growth

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick will introduce an ordinance that would prohibit all cannabis business operations in the township.

At a recently held council meeting, council members expressed their support for drafting an ordinance that would prohibit the farming, development, and sale of marijuana.

“I don’t want any retail. I don’t want the kids to be able to get it. As a resident I don’t want this growing here,” said Councilwoman Jo Hochman. “It’s not worth it.”

South Brunswick Law Director Don Sears presented a model “complete opt-out” ordinance which will prohibit all cannabis establishments in town — cultivation, manufacturing, wholesale distribution, retail sales, and delivery.

Some council members said that since the township has many labs and pharmaceutical companies, cannabis lab testing would be acceptable.

Mayor Charlie Carley told Sears to draft an ordinance "opting out" of everything "except lab testing."

New Jersey residents overwhelmingly voted for marijuana legalization in the November 2020 elections.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed bills into law that made adult use of marijuana legal.

But under the original legislation, law enforcement officers were prohibited from notifying parents or guardians of kids who commit a first-time offense of marijuana use or possession.

This legislation faced backlash from several law enforcement agencies, including South Brunswick police chief Raymond Hayducka and school Superintendent Scott Feder.

Murphy then revised the Act in March permitting officers to inform parents of first-time users.

The ordinance is currently being drafted and will be discussed at the Council meeting on May 25 or in June at the latest.

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