Bernards Twp. Looks To Ban Weed Businesses, Public Use

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — It's a new age for cannabis in New Jersey, but Bernards Township officials won't welcome every aspect with open arms. The Township Committee will introduce ordinances Tuesday that prohibit public smoking of the drug and all related businesses.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed three bills into law Feb. 22 to legalize recreational weed for adults 21 and older. Cities and towns have until Aug. 22 to pass rules banning such businesses if they choose to.

But towns that don't meet that deadline wouldn't be able to pass a similar ban until five years later, and businesses established during that time would get grandfathered in even if a towns implements such a ban in the future.

The public can discuss Bernards Township's proposed ordinances at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting, which begins at 8 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Municipal Building (1 Collyer Ln., Basking Ridge). Find livestreaming instructions on the agenda.

The first cannabis ordinance — page 79 of the agenda PDF — prohibits consumption of cannabis in public spaces in Bernards Township. If passed, violators would be subject to fines up to $200.

The township defines public space as the following: "any place to which the public has access that is not privately owned; or any place to which the public has access where alcohol consumption is not allowed; including but not limited to, a public street, roadway, thoroughfare, sidewalk, bridge, alley, plaza, park, playground, swimming pool, shopping area, public transportation facility, vehicle used for public transportation, parking lot, public library, or any other public building, structure, or area."

The second cannabis ordinance alters the township's land-development rules to ban weed businesses within township premises. The ordinance prohibits recreational cannabis establishments, cultivators and delivery services from establishing themselves within the township.

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