Cannabis Businesses Could Be Banned In Mendham Township

MENDHAM, NJ — Like many municipalities throughout New Jersey still wrestling with regulation questions, whether or not to permit recreational cannabis business operations in their borders - many disallowing these types of businesses from operating for now until the state releases guidelines - Mendham Township has its prohibition ordinance on the table and up for adoption on July 12, after having introduced it at the Township Committee’s meeting on Monday night.

Mendham Borough’s Council adopted its ordinance on May 24, after introducing it on May 12, with no discussion on the ordinance at introduction or during its unanimous final adoption.

Mendham Township’s Committee hosted a public forum, seeking community feedback on the topic, the same night as the borough’s ordinance was adopted.

The township’s ordinance - like the borough’s - won’t allow any type of cannabis business operations. At recent meetings throughout Morris County in May and June, municipalities have been discussing the issue, the majority throughout the Garden State, using ordinance templates from the State of New Jersey, prohibiting cannabis business models.

Chatham Borough was one that passed its prohibition ordinance, though not unanimously, on June 14. Chatham’s attorney said at least 50 percent and close to even 80 or 90 percent of New Jersey municipalities, are voting against passing an ordinance to allow cannabis businesses, based on guidance from New Jersey’s League of Municipalities and New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys, both groups suggesting this stance until the cannabis commission sets its regulations on Aug. 22.

Chester Township passed a prohibition ordinance, with Chester Borough’s planned for adopted on June 15, but needing referral to the Land Use Board and County of Morris for another look, before it’s scheduled for adoption again on July 6.

Warren County's Hackettstown has allowed some types of recreational cannabis manufacturing businesses, a decision the municipality must stick with for five years after its approval, a stipulation the state set for towns that decide to permit recreational cannabis businesses to operate within their borders. Hackettstown has a retail cannabis business ordinance up for adoption in August, which would permit a limited number of retailers to operate in particular zones, with restrictions.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at jennifer.miller@patch.com.