Parsippany (Troy Hills) council adopts ordinance to allow retail cannabis sales after public hearing

The Parsippany (Troy Hills) Township Council adopted Ordinance 2024-21 on Dec. 7, 2024, amending the township code to permit retail cannabis businesses.

During a public hearing before the final vote, residents asked for local revenue estimates, projected enforcement costs and how license renewals would be handled. Bob Nadesviel told the council he did not have enough information to support the ordinance and asked that it be tabled until those details are provided. "If the administration and the council do not answer these questions at this time, then I do not have sufficient information to vote on tonight's cannabis ordinance," he said.

Business Administrator Jamie Scribe responded to procedural questions about timing and renewals: after final passage there will be a mandatory 20-day waiting period, and "once that period is over in the new year, we will then put out on the bulletin when applications will be accepted. They will be accepted on a rolling basis until the administration deems to stop that," Scribe said. On denials, Scribe stated an applicant "may or may not be given a reason for denial" and that resubmission is allowed if the application window remains open.

Supporters of the ordinance, including local business owners who identified themselves as owners of Happy Days Boutique, told the council they had publicly advocated for the change and highlighted outreach and educational programs they said they have run to destigmatize cannabis. "Public health and safety are a top priority for us…we are very eager to contribute even further for the benefit of our community," one supporter said.

Council members completed the required procedural steps and adopted the ordinance on final reading by roll-call vote. The administration said it will publish notice of final passage as required by law and will notify the public when applications open after the 20-day period.

Next steps: the ordinance goes to final publication as required; the administration will announce the application process and timeline on the township bulletin once the 20-day statutory period ends. Specific local tax-revenue estimates and detailed enforcement-cost projections requested by residents were not provided during the meeting and were described by the council as items for later administrative follow-up.