Bloomfield May Allow Marijuana Businesses: Report

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Town Council has introduced an ordinance that could allow up to six marijuana businesses to set up shop, a report says.

All the retailer licenses would be for a Class 5 retailer, which means cannabis items and related supplies could be sold. A public hearing is expected at the July 12 council meeting, NorthJersey.com reported.

Read the full article here.

Bloomfield isn’t the only municipality in Essex County that has introduced cannabis-related legislation this year. Other towns, including Livingston and Nutley, have also put forth local laws regulating marijuana businesses – albeit banning them.

• See related article: Livingston Advances Potential Ban On Marijuana Businesses
• See related article: Nutley Bans Marijuana Businesses Within Town Limits – For Now

New Jersey voters approved recreational marijuana in November 2020. But it wasn't legal to fire up the bong until Gov. Phil Murphy signed the official framework into law on Feb. 22.

Now, adults 21 and over are allowed to consume cannabis on private property. Read More: 5 Things You Need To Know About Marijuana Legalization In NJ

When state lawmakers crafted the legalization bill, they left room for municipalities to ban or limit the number of cannabis businesses operating in their communities. Town governments have a 180-day period from when the bill was enacted to pass a law banning cannabis businesses. They will be able to repeal or alter their ordinances afterwards. If they don't pass an ordinance in that time, not only will marijuana businesses be allowed to operate, but local officials won't have another chance to issue a ban for a period of five years. Read More: Marijuana Is Legal In NJ. But Can Towns Still Ban It?

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