South Brunswick Plans To ‘Opt Out’ Of Cannabis Operations

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick said they plan to "opt-out" of marijuana operations and will adopt a “wait and see” approach regarding new regulations introduced by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. The decision was made during this week's council meeting.

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission is expected to unveil its rules and regulations governing the marijuana industry on Aug. 21. Meanwhile, municipalities have until Aug. 22 to pass ordinances banning all cannabis businesses or limiting their presence in town.

This leaves many townships, including South Brunswick, in a tough spot as it forces municipalities to make their choice before reviewing the new regulations, said officials.

“We have no other choice but to opt-out as we talked about, except for the testing, and then wait to see what happens on 8/22. Then we can go back and modify and change...” said Deputy Mayor Joe Camarota.

“We are shooting in the wind here. We don’t know what exactly is going to happen.”

Councilman Ken Bierman said it was advisable to “err on the side of caution. And the side of caution is to opt-out.”

Bierman said if the Cannabis Regulatory Commission comes back with different regulations, then the township can opt-in. But if they’ve already opted in, they’re committed for five years.

The township said it needed more clarification on issues regarding penalties, sale of cannabis edibles like gummies, etc.

“I would think we should opt-out for now and let’s see what goes on,” said councilwoman Ann Grover.

The township recently prepared an ordinance that would prohibit all cannabis business operations in the township. The ordinance bans farming, development, and sale of marijuana. It also prohibits the consumption by certain persons and/or in certain places within the township

Only cannabis testing facilities are permitted to operate in town.

The ordinance currently does not prohibit the delivery of cannabis to residents from services based outside South Brunswick.

As it’s currently written, the ordinance makes it unlawful for anyone “under the legal age to purchase or consume cannabis items, to consume cannabis items, other than by smoking, vaping or aerosolizing, in or on any private property.”

These restrictions do not apply to users of medical marijuana.

To read the township’s ordinance, click here.

The first reading of Ordinance 11873 is scheduled for June 22. This will be followed by a second reading and public hearing on July 27.

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