Conversation about marijuana escalates as the state tosses around competing bills
Marijuana talks are carving out large chunks of time at local government meetings in New Jersey.
Supporters of legal marijuana first saw success when the legislature passed the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act on Jan. 11, 2010. On that day, New Jersey became the 14th state to allow the use of medicinal marijuana. Now, two governors later, the state is considering further legislative moves when it comes to cannabis; there are even talks of pushing a bill to legalize recreational marijuana adult-use, to some extent.
While politicians toss bills back and forth and argue whether or not New Jersey will join the ranks of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts and allow for some level of recreational usage, municipalities are faced with a different question: Will they allow for the sale of marijuana in their town?
The Borough of Berlin is prepping for that conversation.
At this point, one thing is known — Gov. Murphy’s administration is marijuana friendly. Soon after taking the seat as governor, his office issued a press release stating his administration is “changing the restrictive culture of our medical marijuana program to make it more patient-friendly.”
However, those following the state’s moves on marijuana expected to know more at this point, but due to the extra time needed to hash out and pass the budget, New Jerseyans are in limbo.
Still the topic is gaining traction at the local level. At the borough’s July council meeting, Councilman Mike Buchanan was eager to chat about Berlin’s future in a potentially pot-friendly Garden State. His comments come after the revelation of recent interest in medicinal sales in the borough.
In recent weeks, an individual asked the council about the process of applying for a license to sell medicinal marijuana in the borough. Recounting this event at the July meeting, Mayor Jim Bilella mentioned the borough does not yet have the proper zoning laws in place for such a business; however, the conversation about allowing marijuana distribution is on the horizon.
Because local governments don’t know whether the state will pass further medicinal legislation alone or a bill coupled with recreational use details, Bilella feels the borough should monitor the state’s moves before doing much in the way of local law.
Buchanan mentioned the council’s move in the coming months should be to draw up a referendum and ask residents their opinion.
After the meeting, Buchanan said the “skinny” of what he wants to know is “Do [residents] want medicinal marijuana sales in Berlin?” He stated early in the meeting, “We are not anti-business, but we care about what type of business comes to Berlin.” According to numbers compiled by www.thecannabisindistry.org, New Jersey obtained $31 million in 2016 medicinal sales.
While the timeline of announcing a referendum received differing views from the council, members all agreed on one thing, perhaps stated best by councilman Ron Rocco, “People should have a say. Too much in government dictates what goes on in our lives. If there is a motion [for referendum] put on the floor, I would agree with that.”
Councilman Len Badolato echoed this sentiment while stating the topic needs to be discussed by all council members to configure a precise message for residents. Three council members were absent during the July meeting.
Bilella said, “We need to find out what the state is allowing.” He added, “The way our state legislature works, these things morph through negotiations.”
The council will discuss proceedings on a referendum on July 24 at a workshop meeting. This meeting was originally scheduled for July 31.
In other news:
Council is considering placing speed bumps at multiple locations in the borough and, after comments from resident Joseph McGuckin, London Avenue is now being discussed.
“I need to know what steps I need to take to have speed humps installed on London Ave.,” he said, and continued to state that, due to a new business’ presence at the end of the street, a normally quiet street is seeing increased speeding vehicles.
“This street has been dormant for 50-some years,” he said to the council, a comment met with collective agreement. The speed limit on London Avenue is 25 mph, and McGuckin also requested that be changed to 15. He stated cars are traveling, at times, at speeds upward of 50 to 60 mph. Bilella told McGuckin council will be in contact with the head of the borough’s road program to discuss the possibility of speed bumps.
“We do have a number of streets in town with a similar problem,” Bilella said. McGuckin said of the business owners, “I think they are good people.”
