Barnegat Says “No” To Marijuana

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BARNEGAT – At a recent meeting, the committee passed an ordinance that would restrict the sale, manufacture and farming of marijuana within the township.

Barnegat is establishing their stance against the potential legalization of marijuana, as other local municipalities have done in recent past, such as Berkeley and Point Pleasant Beach.

“We don’t want it here,” said Deputy Mayor Al Cirulli during the meeting.

The ordinance – stating that selling and growing marijuana creates safety concerns – forbids the manufacturing, growing, cultivation, or farming activities related to marijuana or the sale of marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia within township borders.

It also outlines that any marijuana dispensaries are not allowed within ¼ mile of schools, churches, playgrounds, commercial or residential zones in Barnegat.

With Governor Murphy’s continued talk about legalizing recreational marijuana, many towns have taken it upon themselves to make their position clear, especially when they are against it.

Since the Murphy administration took office in January, 10,000 patients have joined the Department of Health’s Medicinal Marijuana program, for a total of 25,000 patients and 1,000 caregivers participating, according to the governor’s office.

Of the six dispensaries located in New Jersey, the closest medical marijuana dispensary to Barnegat is located in Egg Harbor Township, some 37 miles to the south.

Barnegat’s ordinance makes it clear that the township finds the sale or cultivation of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia in any form a safety concern for its residents.

The ordinance was passed unanimously by the Township Committee.