Lebanon Committee introduces ordinance to ban commercial psilocybin operations

Deputy Mayor Brian Wunder and the Township Committee on Aug. 21 introduced Ordinance No. 11-2024, which would amend Township Code §400-9 to prohibit commercial manufacturing, retail, warehousing, delivery and client administration sessions related to psilocybin, psilocin and psilocybe spores across all zoning districts.

The committee packet and ordinance text frame the proposal as a zoning clarification exercised under the Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq., and cite federal scheduling of psilocybin under the Controlled Substances Act. Beverly Koehler, speaking during introduction, summarized related state Senate activity and said the Committee was acting “proactively” to adopt zoning consistent with existing cannabis rules in the township.

Supporters on the Committee characterized the measure as a planning tool; no formal public testimony on the ordinance was recorded at the Aug. 21 meeting. The ordinance text defines “manufacturing” and “service provisioning” broadly to include planting, cultivation, processing, testing labs, warehousing, delivery originating in the township, retail sale and client administration sessions under supervision of a facilitator or provider.

The Committee voted unanimously to introduce the ordinance and set a public hearing and possible final adoption for Sept. 18, 2024; the ordinance will be referred to the Township Planning Board for review as required by statute. If adopted, the new rule would prohibit establishment-level commercial psilocybin activity in Lebanon Township; it would not itself criminalize possession or noncommercial activity beyond what state or federal law provides.

Next steps: the Planning Board review and the Sept. 18 public hearing, at which residents and interested parties may register comment before the Committee considers final passage.