Petition Urges Committee To Allow Cannabis Sales In Lacey

LACEY, NJ — An online petition addressed to the Lacey Township Committee was launched after an ordinance was introduced last week banning any recreational cannabis businesses within the township.

The ordinance passed its first reading on April 22 and will go through a second reading at the township committee's next meeting on Thursday, May 13.

The newly proposed ordinance is in response to the state finalizing regulations on adult use of recreational marijuana; towns have been given 180 days — until August — to enact bans if they choose.

In the petition, Tony DeBacco, of Forked River, said the ordinance is “going against the vote of the people.”

Lacey Township voted 63-36 in favor of recreational marijuana in the November 2020 election.

“A vocal minority has been voicing their opinions at our local meetings, giving the committee the idea that the township residents are actually against the legalization of recreational marijuana,” the petition reads. “The goal of this petition is to inform our representatives that the people of Lacey Township do not want to ban sales and manufacturing in this township.”

Over 500 people signed the petition as of Thursday afternoon.

Lacey Township approved a similar ordinance in August, when the committee voted unanimously to prohibit the sale of recreational marijuana. That ordinance became invalid after Gov. Phil Murphy signed new legislation on Feb. 22 legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults.

The public will have an opportunity to comment at the meeting before a second vote is taken to pass the ordinance on May 13.

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