Stockton attorney flags procedural problems with 2021 cannabis ordinance; council appoints cannabis committee

Borough Attorney Lisa Maddox told Stockton Borough Council on Oct. 21 that procedures surrounding the borough's prior cannabis ordinance in 2021 were not followed correctly, and she said the borough would "take the proper and necessary steps" to address the issue going forward. Maddox also explained licensing standards and options for opting in to cannabis regulation.

The matter was discussed in public and later in an executive session described in the minutes as covering "Cannabis Ordinance/Licensing (Advice of Counsel)." After the closed session the council voted to appoint William Brown, Hunt and Mayor Aaron Lipsen to a Cannabis Committee. The minutes record the motion as approved by voice vote; they do not record committee charge language or a deadline for its work.

During public comment Mike Odenwald raised concerns about missing minutes related to the cannabis ordinance and asked to be allowed 45 minutes to present his economic plan at a future meeting; the minutes say Attorney Maddox responded that "they are looking at everything in the ordinance" and explained options, but the minutes do not show the council granting the requested presentation time.

The minutes do not record any formal vote to adopt or amend the cannabis ordinance during the Oct. 21 meeting; they show only that the attorney advised council about procedural defects and that a committee was formed after executive session.