Jersey City Planning Board Unanimously Approves Cannabis Zoning

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City's Planning Board unanimously approved regulations for the zoning and planning of cannabis establishments in Jersey City.

Tuesday night's meeting showed a 7-0 vote approving the city's suggested regulations, and while the meeting was the second of two meetings and open to the public, only three people spoke during the public comment portion.

Jersey City Supervising Planner Matt Ward presented the city's regulations and plan for cannabis establishments in Jersey City at the June 8 meeting with the Planning Board and went over amendments and revisions to the plan on Tuesday night. One of the most notable revisions was the city's pivot to allowing cannabis consumption areas, otherwise known as onsite consumption areas.

Cannabis consumption areas would only exist within a cannabis retail facility — somewhere selling recreational or medical marijuana. The consumption areas would only be accessible through the store itself and would not be visible from the street, according to the plan. Indoor and outdoor consumption area structures are proposed in the city's plan. The regulations would be similar to those of cigar smoke shops.

Jessica F. Gonzalez, an attorney and cannabis advocate as well as a Jersey City resident, commended the board's choice to include cannabis consumption areas.

"It is as much about community health and wellness as it is about equity," Gonzalez said. She highlighted that, unlike New York, residents can not consume cannabis in the open streets in New Jersey and that landlords can take action against tenants for consuming cannabis on their property. Gonzalez also pointed out that residents in public housing cannot legally consume cannabis, even for medical purposes, in their apartments since it is not federally sanctioned.

"A cannabis consumption area creates that safe space for people to consume in," Gonzalez said.

A zoning map is available online:

While the vote to recommend the regulations to the City Council was unanimous, the board echoed a sentiment that several questions remain unanswered outside the realm of zoning, including how police will handle driving while under the influence of cannabis, public health concerns, etc.

Mayor Steven Fulop tweeted on Tuesday night after the meeting, supporting the board's vote.

Also Read:

• Jersey City Planning Board To Review Cannabis Regulations
• Medical Marijuana Company Submits Plans To Open In Jersey City
• Marijuana Is Now Officially Legal In New Jersey
• Jersey City Can't Decriminalize Marijuana: OAG

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