Gloucester Township Bans Use Of Recreational Marijuana In Public

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — In an action Police Chief David Harkins said was “way ahead of the game,” Gloucester Township Council unanimously voted to ban the use of e-liquids, cannabis and other marijuana products in public places Monday night.

“This is a very good thing for us to do,” Harkins told council at its meeting in the municipal building. “When that legislation moves forward, this will give us more teeth, so I applaud council’s effort in considering it.”

The proposal initially came before council last month after Harkins learned that the township’s current smoking ordinance didn’t prohibit the use of marijuana. Read more here: Marijuana Legalization Has Gloucester Twp. Revisiting Smoking Laws

It is up to municipalities to be proactive in their policies regarding the use of recreational marijuana after New Jersey residents voted to legalize it last year.

The township’s ordinance already prohibits the smoking of tobacco or tobacco-like substances in public and community parks, recreational facilities and public buildings.

Harkins said he had been working with Assemblywoman Gabrielle Mosquera's office on some recommendations as to how the use of recreational marijuana can be regulated in the area.

One concern surrounded a provision of the law that prohibited a police officer from notifying parents if their teenage son or daughter (under 21) was found with marijuana or alcohol for the first time. For a first violation, the officer could only give a written warning to the teen, and the officer can record their name, address and birthday.

Assembly members Herb Conaway (D-Burlington), Joann Downey (D-Monmouth), Eric Houghtaling (D-Monmouth) and Shanique Speight (D-Essex) announced they are sponsoring legislation to require law enforcement to provide written notification to a parent or guardian of a person under age 18 who commits the first offense of unlawfully buying or possessing alcoholic beverages or cannabis. Read more here: Final Vote On Pot Smoking In Public In Gloucester Twp. Monday

The bill was approved in committee and is headed to the full Assembly for review. Similar legislation has been introduced in the State Senate. Gov. Phil Murphy has said he would support such a change. Read more here: Murphy Backs Change To Marijuana Law Allowing Parent Notification