Public Hearing, Final Vote Set For Marijuana Bans In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The public will have a chance to speak Monday night before the Bridgewater Mayor and Council is expected to vote and finalize four ordinances that essentially prohibit marijuana dispensaries from coming to Bridgewater, prohibiting the sale of marijuana in town and smoking on public property within the township.

The Bridgewater Mayor and Council meeting will be held virtually on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

To attend the meeting:

• Click the link below to join the webinar: https://webinar.ringcentral.co...
• Or Telephone: US: +1(646)3573664
• Webinar ID: 144 044 8387

Residents can view all four of the ordinances by following this link.

The four ordinances include:

• An ordinance prohibiting the operation of any cannabis business within the township
• An ordinance prohibiting the operation of any marijuana establishments in the township
• An ordinance prohibiting smoking, vaping, aerosolizing, or otherwise consuming cannabis or cannabis items on public property
• An ordinance to prohibit recreational cannabis at any public events in the township (such as at a kid's sporting event)

Mayor Matthew Moench and the council unanimously passed the first reading of these ordinances on March 18. All of the council members are opposed to bringing marijuana into the township citing "quality of life" issues. Read More: 'Our Quality Of Life Is Not For Sale': Bridgewater On Pot Ban

The Bridgewater Township Democratic Municipal Committee wrote a letter last week asking the council to reject two of the ordinances that would ban the sale, cultivation, distribution and other business activities regarding legalized marijuana in Bridgewater.

Democrats said "ordinances '11A' and '11B', are unnecessary, are not desired by the people of Bridgewater and would create an economic and financial detriment to our community. We therefore call on the Bridgewater Township Council to reject these two ordinances." Read More: Bridgewater Dems Oppose Banning Sale Of Marijuana In Township

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