West Orange May Make Changes To Its Law For Marijuana Businesses

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Town Council is considering rolling out changes to its local law regulating cannabis businesses and dispensaries.

On Tuesday, the council met to discuss a proposed ordinance that would tweak several aspects of its local law, including the maximum number of allowable licenses (watch the video below). See Related: West Orange Still Juggling Marijuana Business Applications

Currently, the town’s law permits four active cannabis business licenses, regardless of their type, with unlimited “microbusinesses” as defined by the state. Under the proposed ordinance, that total would increase to seven – including microbusinesses.

The proposed ordinance, which can be seen below, was discussed during a special council meeting. According to a summary on the agenda:

“The purpose of this ordinance is to update the provision of the Municipal Code of the Township of West Orange governing the local licensing requirements and zoning conditions for Licensed Cannabis Entities within the Township of West Orange to: (i) clarify that it shall be unlawful for any individual or entity to distribute cannabis or cannabis products that do not have a license from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission and a local license from the Township of West Orange, including any gifting of cannabis or cannabis produce; (ii) update and amend the total number of local licenses allowable Licensed Cannabis Entities (iii) require approval from the Township for any changes in ownership of a License Cannabis Entity; (iv) provide that all Licensed Cannabis Entities holding a local license, must submit a renewal application not less than sixty (60) days before the expiration of the local license; (v) extend the existing distance from the property line of any property with a school building for which the operation of a Cannabis Entity is prohibited from 100 feet (100’) to 200 feet (200’); (vi) add an additional condition whereby a Cannabis Entity shall not be allowed to operate within 200 feet (200’) from a house of worship; (vii) clarify the parking requirements for Licensed Cannabis Entities; and (viii) provide reference to the Township Municipal Code provisions governing the standards and criteria for commercial signage for Cannabis Entities.”

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