Ringwood’s Cannabis Ordinance
by Jaime Landis-5/28/21
Last night the Council voted to unanimously introduce an initial reading of an ordinance in reference to cannabis and the allowable uses in Ringwood. It is important to note that last November an overwhelming number of Ringwood residents took to the polls and had their voices heard in regard to the legalization of cannabis.
No matter what action the council took regarding allowable uses, residents need to understand that we cannot prohibit cannabis consumption in people’s homes and/or their residential property nor prohibit the delivery of cannabis and related supplies by a delivery service within our jurisdiction.
The State of NJ has given all municipalities a deadline of August 21, 2021 to act and either prohibit or limit the allowable uses within a town. If a town does not meet the deadline, it will be at the mercy of the state and what they see fit to do. The ordinance that the council is proposing which will have a final reading and adoption at the July 20th meeting sets forth the following: Allowable uses in the I-60 Industrial, Office and Research Zone will be cannabis cultivators, cannabis manufacturers, cannabis wholesalers and cannabis distributors. It is important to note that cannabis retailers will be a prohibited in the municipality.
