Chatham Township Set To Finalize Ban On Weed Businesses

CHATHAM TOWNSHIP, NJ — After years on the town's radar, the Chatham Township Committee may pass its proposed ban on cannabis businesses. The ordinance is up for public discussion and final adoption at Thursday's committee meeting.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed three bills into law Feb. 22 to legalize recreational weed for adults 21 and older. Cities and towns have 180 days — 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.

Chatham Township's ordinance, as written, would prohibit all weed establishments, distributors or delivery services from basing themselves in the township (see pages 1-3 of the documents for Thursday's meeting). New Jersey's cities and towns, however, cannot prohibit legal adult use.

In 2018, Chatham Township Committee unanimously passed an ordinance banning marijuana cultivation, production or manufacturing. Although recreational weed was still illegal in New Jersey, several towns preemptively imposed bans to prepare for the possibility of future legalization.

New Jersey's legislation nullified those local rules but gives municipalities the opportunity to pass such laws again.

Chatham Borough officials are looking into a similar ban on such businesses. Read more: Chatham Borough Looking Into Banning Marijuana Businesses

The Chatham Township Committee meeting will take place remotely at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Here's information on accessing the meeting.

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