BERKELEY – Originally introduced at the Township Council’s re-organization meeting in the beginning of the year, the council has now banned any future marijuana businesses from operating in town.
The language in the ordinance states, in part: “The sale of marijuana and paraphernalia associated with marijuana use is hereby prohibited within the Township of Berkeley.”
Berkeley is one of several local towns to respond to Governor Phil Murphy’s campaign promise to legalize the drug. Toms River introduced a similar ordinance.
When Berkeley’s Township Council introduced the measure, members of the governing body cited multiple reasons for their decision, including it being a gateway drug, legal difficulties, and the double standard of trying to combat an opioid epidemic while saying marijuana is fine. Some council members stated that medicinal use would still be appropriate.
