Ocean City Council Approves Ordinance Banning Marijuana Sales

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The Ocean City Council voted unanimously on an ordinance Thursday that prohibits businesses that cultivate, manufacture, test or sell marijuana.

The ordinance bans marijuana facilities within one-quarter mile of a school, church, recreational or sports facility, the Boardwalk and any residential area.

Ocean City approved a similar ordinance in 2019, when the council voted unanimously to ban marijuana businesses. That ordinance became invalid after Gov. Phil Murphy signed new legislation on Feb. 22 legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults.

“The Mayor and City Council believe there is no area of the city which can safely house a business selling marijuana, cannabis or hashish or the paraphernalia that facilitates use of the same,” the ordinance says.

Ocean City's reputation as a "family-friendly resort town" caused council members to consider how marijuana use on the Boardwalk and beach would impact the city's image.

In addition to being a dry town where alcohol sales are banned, now Ocean City will prohibit businesses from selling marijuana, hashish or marijuana paraphernalia in all parts of town.

“We don’t allow any alcohol. We shouldn’t allow marijuana or cannabis,” Councilwoman Karen Bergman said.

Despite voting for the ban on the sale of recreational marijuana, Councilman Jody Levchuk had concerns that residents who rely on medical marijuana will lack access to it.

“I just don't want to set ourselves up to be able to prevent anybody from access to medication, when they have a debilitating disease, that works for them and is legal in our state,” he said.

Officials said they will consider implementing an exception that would allow the delivery of medical marijuana.

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