Morristown council moves to ban pot businesses–for now

Morristown officials at virtual council meeting, April 27, 2021. Screenshot by Kevin Coughlin
4

 

Morristown’s council wasn’t blowing smoke last month when it discussed banning marijuana businesses.

By a 4-1 vote on Tuesday, the governing body introduced an ordinance banning all “cannabis establishments…distributors or cannabis delivery services,” prohibiting such ventures in the town’s land use regulations.  The ban extends to medical marijuana establishments.

The measure is intended to buy time for a newly created committee of residents and officials to study where such places might be appropriate, explained Councilman Robert Iannaccone, who ran the brief virtual meeting in the absences of Council President Stefan Armington and Vice President Toshiba Foster.

If towns don’t enact bans or regulations within 180 days of Aug. 22, 2021– the effective date of a state act legalizing adult recreational marijuana use–then for the next five years, pot can be grown, manufactured and sold in all industrial zones, with retail sales of cannabis items conditionally permitted in all commercial- and retail zones.

Iannaccone expressed concerns last month that without any municipal rules in place, businesses might start selling marijuana wherever and however they wished.

The ban is scheduled for a final vote on May 11, 2021.

Councilman Michael Elms cast the lone vote against introducing the ordinance. Iannaccone, David Silva, Sandi Mayer and Tawanna Cotten were in favor.

New Jersey voters approved recreational marijuana by a two-to-one margin last November. In February, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act, creating a regulatory and licensing framework for recreational cannabis operations, use and possession by persons aged 21 or older.

Morristown’s ordinance cites the state League of Municipalities and the state Institute of Local Government Attorneys, which advise zoning prohibitions of all marijuana businesses because of the  “complexity and novelty” of the state law.

At the moment, it’s “necessary and appropriate, and in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare” of residents and visitors “to prohibit all manner of marijuana-related land use and development,” the town ordinance states.

Deliveries of cannabis items and supplies by outside services would be allowed.

The town’s marijuana advisory committee will report to the council soon, Iannaccone said.

In other business, the council tabled a vote on a liquor license transfer to 1776 by David Burke/Topgolf,  a golf-themed restaurant coming to the 1776 On the Green building at 67 Park Place East. The restaurant also seeks permission for rooftop dining.

The council, which doubles as the town’s Alcoholic Beverage Control board, has scheduled a special hearing for 7 pm on May 11, ahead of that night’s regular council meeting.

At that regular meeting, the council also anticipates a presentation from the Morristown Parking Authority, which is asking the town to guarantee $4 million in bonds. That vote also was tabled on Tuesday.

If you’ve read this far… you clearly value your local news. Now we need your help to keep producing the local coverage you depend on! More people are reading Morristown Green than ever. But costs keep rising. Reporting the news takes time, money and hard work. We do it because we, like you, believe an informed citizenry is vital to a healthy community.

So please, CONTRIBUTE to MG or become a monthly SUBSCRIBER. ADVERTISE on Morristown Green. LIKE us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and SIGN UP for our newsletter.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Makes me want to walk down South Street smoking a joint…. just because it’s better than playing hopscotch over vomit every weekend around the Green.

  2. What a short sighted and myopic deision thi is. Exactly how many bars does Morrisotwn have? I guess it just means more $$$ for any nearby town who decides to join the 21st century and take advantage of this new revenue steam.

  3. Cannabis can’t be allowed in the town. But alcohol and tobacco, drugs that actually harm people, are allowed. Ridiculous.

LEAVE A REPLY