Toms River Ban On Retail Cannabis Businesses May Be Temporary

Toms River NJ

16 July, 2021

5:31 AM

Description

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Township Council approved a ban on retail cannabis businesses in the township on Tuesday night. But that ban may not be the last word on the matter. The council also introduced an ordinance that would have the ban expire Dec. 31, giving the township time to continue its work examining the issue of whether recreational marijuana businesses have a place in the township. An 11-member committee that includes Councilwoman Laurie Huryk, Council President Kevin Geoghegan, representatives of the Toms River Police Department and the Ocean County Health Department, the student assistance counselor from the Toms River schools, and five Toms River residents, has met a few times and was making progress, Huryk said. Councilman Dan Rodrick was named to serve on the committee but refused. Huryk said the committee was chosen with representatives both of those who support retail cannabis businesses and those who oppose them. The committee is receiving input from a number of sources, including people who can provide insights on the finances and functioning of cannabis businesses, both medical and recreational and a horticulturist, who can provide insight on the chemistry of the business. The ordinance banning retail recreational marijuana businesses was passed because of the state's Aug. 22 deadline for towns to act on setting their own rules, whether they chose full bans or modified rules to allow retail businesses. Huryk said the ordinance introduced Tuesday that sets a Dec. 31 sunset for the ban is a good-faith action by the council honoring the committee's work on the topic and allowing it to continue rather than being forced to a rushed conclusion. Huryk, Geoghegan, and councilmen Joshua Kopp, Matthew Lotano and Terrance Turnbach voted yes on introducing the ordinance for the sunset provision. Rodrick voted against introduction of the ordinance setting the sunset date on the ban. Councilwoman Maria Maruca voted in favor of the introduction but stressed she was only voting for the introduction, to get to a public hearing on the sunset provision to allow residents to speak on that issue. The public hearing and final vote on the ban sunset ordinance is set for the July 27 council meeting. Toms River voters, like much of the state, voted to approve recreational marijuana use by adults in the 2020 election. The final vote tallies in Toms River showed 31,255, or 63.42 percent, in favor, and 18,024, or 36.58 percent, against. There were 49,279 votes cast on the question, according to the official results posted by the Ocean County clerk's office. Read more: How Toms River Voted On NJ's Marijuana Question Click here to get Patch email notifications, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email [email protected] Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.