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TOMS RIVER — Toms River won’t be joining other Ocean County towns that have moved to ban marijuana businesses. At least not for now.
Township Council members voted 6 to 1 Tuesday to table an ordinance that would have barred companies that sell, manufacture or distribute weed from operating in town.
Instead, the council plans to form a committee of residents and members of the governing body who will research the pros and cons of allowing marijuana businesses.The aim of is to bring the ordinance back for a vote at the June 9 meeting.
“We need to be more educated on this matter before we vote on it,” said Councilman Terrance Turnbach, who made a motion to table the measure following a raucous 90-minute public hearing in which all but one speaker opposed banning weed businesses.
Councilman Daniel Rodrick opposed tabling the ordinance.
“I don’t support recreational sales of marijuana in Toms River,” Rodrick said, after raising concerns about its impact on young people in town.
“We don’t support you!” a woman in the crowd responded.
The council’s decision to table the measure was greeted by loud applause by the capacity crowd at town hall. Prior to the vote, several speakers accused the governing body of being out of step with residents, and being ill-informed of the particulars in the 240-page law that sets out the requirements for firms that want to enter the weed business.
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It marked the second time the council has tabled a measure aimed at blocking marijuana businesses; a previous ordinance banning weed sales was shelved in early 2018, more than two years before marijuana was legalized in New Jersey.
Councilman Matt Lotano noted that the council had proposed the ordinance because of what council members described as the uncertainty surrounding the rollout of legalized marijuana. Municipalities have until August to pass an ordinance either prohibiting or otherwise setting up regulations for marijuana-related businesses.
Otherwise they will be grandfathered into existing retail and industrial zones.
“We weren’t saying ‘no’ forever,” Lotano said, although he admitted the wording of the measure could make it appear that any ban would be permanent. “The word prohibit is rough.”
“I have issues with any governing body that will not give me access to a safe, tested and fully legal product,” said Toms River resident Laurie Singer, a yoga instructor who described herself as a recreational marijuana user.
Singer pointed out that the ordinance “goes against the overwhelming majority of your constituents.”
Like the other marijuana advocates who spoke Tuesday night, Singer’s statement was followed by applause and shouts of encouragement from the crowd.
In Toms River, 63.7% of voters supported last year’s ballot measure legalizing weed for adults.
“It is not a gateway drug,” said Toms River resident Tammy Miller, a medical marijuana patient who said weed has helped her continue working after three knee surgeries, foot surgery and a back injury. “There are so many conditions that medical marijuana helps besides pain.”
Like several of the speakers, Miller pointed out that she must drive 1 1/2 hours to the nearest medical marijuana dispensary where she can purchase weed, in southwestern New Jersey.
Registered nurse Susan Payne Gato a township resident who is also a medical marijuana patient, said Cannabis has helped her combat the after-effects of polio, which she contracted at age 2 1/2.
“It behooves elected officials to make themselves aware of the updated science when it comes to making decisions affecting the majority of voters’ wishes and requests,” she said.
Council Vice President Maria Maruca pointed out that although most of Tuesday’s audience members were in favor of allowing marijuana businesses in Toms River, she has also receiving emails and calls from those who opposed to the idea.
Elizabeth Puglisi, a registered nurse, was the only resident to speak Tuesday who is opposed to allowing weed businesses to open here.
“This will absolutely increase drug trafficking,” Puglisi said. “It will absolutely increase drug use in our community.”
Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and has been writing about local government and politics at the Jersey Shore for nearly 37 years. She’s also passionate about the Shore’s storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.co
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Toms River tables marijuana business ban after legal weed supporters object
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