Lacey Approves Ordinance Banning Marijuana Businesses

LACEY, NJ — The Lacey Township Committee passed an ordinance Thursday prohibiting recreational cannabis businesses from operating in Lacey.

The prohibitions do not apply to medicinal marijuana dispensaries, which have been permitted in Lacey Township's business park.

Though 64 percent of Lacey residents who voted — 10,744 people — were in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults, Mayor Peter Curatolo has criticized the state’s legislation, citing safety and health concerns for minors.

During the committee meeting on Thursday, Curatolo said that allowing recreational marijuana businesses in Lacey will cause an increase in drug use by minors, intoxicated driving and gang activity.

“Toms River, Lakewood and Brick town all ordinanced against it. A lot of towns in this county did, which means these units are going to be funneled and focused on our township,” Curatolo said. “Uber some pot over if you need it that badly. Do it. My job here is to protect the people of the town.”

Under the state law, towns that do not pass an ordinance by Aug. 22 will be barred from banning the retail sale of recreational marijuana for five years.

Lacey's five-person committee passed the ordinance with four votes, while Committeeman Mark Dykoff abstained from voting. Dykoff and Committeeman Timothy McDonald said they have spent time researching the issue in recent weeks.

Though towns must wait five years to ban marijuana businesses, they can choose to allow them at any time, which provided a compromise for Dykoff and McDonald.

“All we’ve said — Mr. McDonald and I, was give us time,” Dykoff said. “Many people thought if you opted out, you also have five years, but that’s not true. You can opt back in.”

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