SAYREVILLE, NJ — The Sayreville Council has introduced an ordinance that would ban both recreational and medical marijuana businesses from operating in the borough. The governing body will hold a public hearing on the ordinance at its next (virtual) meeting on June 14.
The ordinance would amend borough zoning laws to prohibit licenses issued for cultivation, manufacturing, and retail distribution of marijuana. It would also prohibit medical marijuana facilities in Sayreville.
Edward “Lefty” Grimes of Sativa Cross, an organization that advocates for cannabis patient’s rights, called into Monday’s meeting (1:04 into the video) on behalf of people with cancer and disabled war vets who use medical marijuana.
“You’re messing with the supply chain of medicine for people… They need your help.” Grimes said. “What are you supposed to do when your medicine is being banned? My disabled war vet friend — who has cancer — has an hour drive to get it.”
“Cancer patients don’t have much time to wait,” Grimes said. “Two-thirds of New Jersey voted for it.”
Attorney Michael Dupont said that everyone on the council has a great amount of compassion for medical marijuana patients.
“I understand the pain,” said Dupont, who shared that he had lost his wife to breast cancer. “But the law requires us to take certain actions. This is the best bet for allowing additional time. If you would just give them time, I’m sure they will work through it.”
“I lost my mother-in-law to cancer,” Mayor Kilpatrick said. “This legislation is new, and we’re working through this. I appreciate your calling in and your patience.”
While marijuana businesses can be prohibited on the local level, towns cannot bar residents from using it, nor can licensed cannabis delivery agents be prohibited from delivering pot to people in Sayreville. Other nearby communities are considering banning pot businesses, including South Amboy, Old Bridge, and Piscataway.
According to the state law that was enacted in 2020, if municipalities do not adopt a marijuana zoning ordinance by Aug. 22 — six months after the legalization of pot went into effect — marijuana businesses would be allowed to operate in the town for five years.
TAPinto Raritan Bay is a free online newspaper serving Sayreville, South Amboy, and other communities along the Raritan Bay in Middlesex County, NJ. Like our Facebook page, visit www.tapinto.net/towns/raritan-bay, and sign up for the daily eNewsletter to get the latest hyperlocal news.