Freehold Township might make up its mind about marijuana long before a legalization bill gets to Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk.
The township planning board will vote Thursday night on a proposal to ban businesses, entities and establishments that sell marijuana-related products, according to the meeting agenda.
The proposed ban covers marijuana sales for both medicinal and recreational use, as well as drug paraphernalia.
Freehold joins several other towns in New Jersey that have said no to marijuana while state legislators work out a deal that may legalize the substance. Point Pleasant, Toms River and Hazlet are among dozens of towns that have banned marijuana sales.
Senate President Stephen Sweeney has told reporters he plans to get a bill to create a legal marijuana marketplace on Murphy’s by the end of September, but lawmakers have missed two unofficial deadlines this year.
Advocates of marijuana legalization say the bill is “98 percent” done as people discuss whether to impose a 25 percent tax on marijuana sales right away or start with a lower rate that rises gradually, according to The Record and the USA Today Network NJ.
Steph Solis: @stephmsolis; 732-403-0074; ssolis@gannett.com .
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