Mannington committee asks solicitor to draft ordinance to allow cannabis businesses in commercial zone

An attorney representing a Glassboro retail cannabis operation told the Mannington Township Committee on March 2 that the townships current Ordinance No. 21-03, which bans all cannabis land uses, should be amended to allow one or more classes of state cannabis license in the commercial zone. After the presentation the committee voted to have Solicitor Horner prepare a draft ordinance to permit wholesale, retail and distribution licenses.

David Avedissian, who said he represents a retail store and is a partner in the business, told the committee he intends to seek a location at the former Fulton Bank building at 109 Route 45 and described the state licensing and municipal steps required. He told the committee the municipality would receive 2% of the gross revenue each quarter from a retail store and that similar 2% payments could apply to wholesaler and distributor licenses. He also said delivery is important to the business model and that, "no town can prohibit the delivery of cannabis to a customer and if you have a Retail license you are permitted to make deliveries, per the State." (Avedissian summarized this state requirement to the committee.)

Why it matters: the committee's direction starts a local ordinance process that would be needed for state licensing. Avedissian described operational limits he would accept if a retail operation were allowed: signage without cannabis imagery, tinted windows, certified employees, panic buttons and interior/exterior cameras, plus on-site security.

Avedissian said he hopes to have a store operating within six to nine months if the township and state approvals proceed. He told the committee that, beyond a draft ordinance, state consideration of a license requires a municipal resolution in support and a zoning letter from the township zoning officer confirming the property is permitted for the use or that a use variance has been granted. After Avedissian left the meeting at 7:15 p.m., the committee voted on a motion by Deputy Mayor DiGregorio, seconded by Committeeman Mitchell, directing Solicitor Horner to move forward with a draft ordinance; the motion passed on roll call (Eber yes; DiGregorio yes; Mitchell yes).

Next steps: Solicitor Horner will prepare the draft ordinance for committee consideration; if the committee later adopts a local ordinance or resolution, any prospective business would then pursue state licensure and the zoning confirmations Avedissian described. The township did not adopt any final licensing rules or grant any licenses at the March 2 meeting.