Ban On Marijuana Businesses Under Consideration In Wayne

WAYNE, NJ — The Township Committee is considering an outright ban on marijuana businesses in Wayne.

A proposed ordinance was introduced at a March 3 meeting that would repeal and replace an existing ordinance that already bans these businesses from operating.

The question you may be asking is why, if such an ordinance already exists, would a similar one be proposed now?

When New Jersey legalized marijuana in February, a stipulation of the new law allows municipalities to consider banning marijuana businesses, but doesn't allow them to use old ordinances to do so. So towns across the state have 180 days from Feb. 22 to draft new ones.

Enter the new ordinance.

According to TapInto, who first reported the story, Mayor Christopher Vergano said the new ban is essentially a replica of the old one.

That ordinance doesn't restrict the use of medical marijuana in the township, but does effectively ban all recreational operations and establishments.

The operation of retail or wholesale marijuana establishments, which includes retail marijuana stores, retail marijuana cultivation facilities, retail marijuana products manufacturing facilities, and retail marijuana testing facilities; and the operation of retail marijuana social clubs and, therefore, all activities related to the above-mentioned retail uses such as, but not limited to, cultivation, possession, extraction, manufacturing, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, delivering, dispensing, transferring and distributing are expressly prohibited within the Township of Wayne.

Medical Use of Marijuana. This ordinance shall not be construed to limit any privileges or rights of a qualifying patient, primary caregiver, registered or otherwise, or registered dispensary pursuant to the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, N.J.S.A. 24:61-1.

Vergano said the town had already received contacts from some interested business owners, but had turned them away, TapInto reported.

This ordinance — and that last point in particular — didn't come without some disagreement.

Wayne For Change, an activist group in the township, pointed out that Wayne voters actually were in favor of legalization when they cast their ballots in November.

Passaic County election results show that 18,945 people voted for legalization, while 12,165 voted against.

"60% of Wayne residents voted in favor of legalizing marijuana in NJ. Why is [Vergano] assuming that all of Wayne would not want it sold?" they asked.

"Marijuana is legal in the state of NJ and Wayne officials should not be assuming that residents wouldn’t want businesses in town."

Council members also pushed back on the idea of banning recreational business, citing the potential tax revenue that could come from their presence.

A vote is likely on the docket at the next committee meeting, scheduled for April 7 at 7:30 p.m.

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