Barnegat Approves Ordinance Banning Marijuana Businesses

BARNEGAT, NJ — Barnegat is joining a growing number of towns in Ocean County that are banning the sale of marijuana.

The township committee approved an ordinance Tuesday night prohibiting recreational cannabis businesses and distributors from operating in Barnegat.

Richard Otto Schmid, president of the Maximilian Foundation, praised the committee for banning recreational marijuana stores during the public comment session.

The Manahawkin-based foundation provides counseling, substance abuse awareness and education to local schools.

“Our concern with the wide scale marijuana institution is that it is widely regarded as a gateway drug,” Schmid said. “It’s protecting the children because there are not enough restrictions on children’s use of the product.”

Geraldine McGrath, of Barnegat, criticized the ordinance under the impression that it would limit access to medicinal marijuana for senior citizens and veterans.

“They have to travel outside the township to get this medication and I don’t know why you can’t have it here,” she said.

Township Attorney Christopher Dasti said the ordinance only applies to businesses that sell marijuana for recreational use.

"The recreational sale or cultivation, and the medical sale or cultivation are two different licenses. Per the new cannabis legislation, this just prohibits recreational establishments," Dasti said.

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