Toms River Weighs Ban On Growing, Selling Marijuana

TOMS RIVER, NJ — If New Jersey does indeed legalize recreational marijuana use, you probably won't see any stores selling it in Toms River. Not only that, you won't be able to grow your own.

The Township Council approved on first reading an ordinance that would "establish prohibitions on the sale, dispensation, and cultivation of Marijuana in the Township of Toms River." It would be an amendment to the township's Drug-Free Zones designations, according to the ordinance summary.

Council President Brian Kubiel said the prohibition would apply to recreational marijuana, not medical marijuana.

Legalizing recreational marijuana was one of the prime issues on the campaign platform of Gov. Phil Murphy, and since Murphy was elected in November, some towns have taken action to block retail stores that would sell marijuana.

In late 2017, Point Pleasant Beach passed an ordinance banning all marijuana businesses in the borough. Berkeley Township followed suit, introducing an ordinance to ban the sale of recreational marijuana at the council's reorganization meeting Jan. 1.

Toms River Councilman George Wittmann expressed his desire for a similar ban in the township at the Toms River council's reorganization earlier this month.

At Tuesday's meeting, a few residents spoke up. One man who owns a business in the downtown area said a retail marijuana shop could draw other business to the area.

"If it’s a business that's going to happen in the state, we need to consider taking advantage of it," the man said.

Others expressed support for the proposed ban.

How quickly legalization will happen in New Jersey is unknown. Law enforcement officials, including Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato, have expressed concerns about how impaired driving will be measured for those driving after using marijuana.

Also unclear is how the declaration by the Trump administration and Attorney General Jeff Sessions that federal authorities will continue to enforce federal laws on marijuana will affect state laws.

The council meeting begins at 6 p.m. on the second floor at Town Hall, next to the Ocean County Library on Washington Street.

Image via Shutterstock