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Stockton extends temporary moratorium on new cannabis applications to Jan. 31, 2027
Summary
Following executive session and committee review, the Stockton Borough Council voted to extend its moratorium on soliciting and accepting new cannabis business applications until January 31, 2027, citing limited municipal resources and the need for more time to evaluate ordinance and RFA materials.
Stockton Borough Council on April 20 extended a temporary moratorium on soliciting and accepting new cannabis business applications until Jan. 31, 2027, saying the Cannabis Review Committee needs more time to assess ordinance language, RFA materials and market conditions.
The extension was adopted by roll call (Ayes 4, Nays 0) after the council met in executive session to discuss possible litigation and attorney-client matters related to cannabis licensing. The resolution (2026-56) notes the borough previously received two applications in 2025, that the Cannabis Review Committee recommended denying both applications because neither met minimum scoring thresholds, and that significant municipal resources were spent reviewing those applications.
Council members framed the extension as a reprioritization of limited staff and elected-official time toward urgent operational matters. Councilperson Gilinger summarized the view: "An inordinate amount of time has been spent on cannabis," arguing that infrastructure, water and sewer compliance and personnel integration require immediate attention. Mayor Aaron Lipsen and other members referenced decades-long water and sewer infrastructure and the frequency of state-mandated compliance work as reasons to postpone new licensing activity.
A consultant, Ellie Siegel of Longview Strategic, spoke during public comment and said she was in Stockton to learn about the borough’s process and to offer assistance to potential operators; she also said a cannabis retail operation can generate local tax revenue and offered to provide examples. Council did not lift the moratorium at this meeting and instructed the Cannabis Review Committee to continue its analysis and report back.
What happens next: The moratorium may be further extended by subsequent resolution if the council and committee need additional time. The Cannabis Review Committee will continue its review of the borough’s cannabis ordinance, RFA materials and relevant market conditions and will bring recommended next steps to council.
