10/17/18 Council Meeting

By: Joseph L. Kuchie

SOUTH AMBOY – The South Amboy city council unanimously passed an ordinance that will ban the growth and distribution of marijuana throughout the entire city.

Ordinance No. 15-2018 states that businesses engaged in the growth or sale of medicinal or recreational marijuana or paraphernalia that facilitates the use of marijuana are prohibited in all zoning districts. The passing of this ordinance adds South Amboy to the list of nearly 40 towns in New Jersey that have officially banned marijuana from being sold.

The ordinance now goes to the desk of Mayor Fred Henry, who will need to provide final approval before it is published as provided by law. Mayor Henry announced after the vote that he would have no problem approving the ordinance. 

“I’d like to thank the council tonight for passing ordinance 15(-2018) that shows the city’s continued commitment to help stop drug use,” Mayor Henry Said. “Obviously I’m going to have no problem signing that particular ordinance.”

The sudden movement by these towns to ban marijuana throughout New Jersey is the result of the potential legalization of marijuana throughout the entire state by Governor Phil Murphy. The bill to legalize marijuana isn’t expected to be introduced for another few weeks, but cities like South Amboy have already made their opposition very clear. 

South Amboy, like all other towns that have banned marijuana, are allowed to ban businesses but will not be able to collect any tax revenue if marijuana is legalized and sold through New Jersey. According to the ordinance, however, South Amboy determined that there is no area in the city that can safely house a business engaged in the growth, sale, or distribution of medicinal or recreational marijuana.

Councilman Brian McLaughlin was not in attendance for the meeting. The next city council meeting will be held on November 21 at 7:00 p.m.