The council voted to adopt both ordinances at its April 20 meeting, a day before recreational cannabis sales began in New Jersey.
In response to questions, Ashe-Nadrowski confirmed that under this ordinance, establishments would only be allowed along the “highway corridor” along Route 440.
This ordinance establishes a Cannabis Preliminary Review Board.
The Review Board will be comprised of three members including: the mayor or their designee, a city council member to be designated by the council, and the Director of Public Safety or their designee.
The mayor will serve for as long as their term and the mayor’s designee would serve for the term of the mayor who appointed them and until a successor is appointed.
The establishments must also be a minimum of 1,000 feet away from schools, churches, child day care facilities, public parks, and playgrounds.
No cannabis products or paraphernalia will be able to be visible from a public sidewalk, public street or right-of-way, or any other public place.
Other restrictions include typical regulations, such as those aimed to prevent loud noise, odor, among others.
“There will probably be more amendments down the road.
“This is great, I agree with everything in here,” Ashe-Nadrowski said, explaining her opposition.
Former city employee Gail Godesky first praised the Bayonne police and fire departments before asking if they would restrict cannabis use among members, citing a directive by Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop that their police would not be permitted to use cannabis off duty.
Hours before the council meeting, Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, who himself is a retired police captain, followed suit.
“I don’t think we have any official policy yet,” Ashe-Nadrowski said.
Coffey noted it is hard to test for cannabis intoxication in the way that someone can be tested for alcohol and have immediate results.
“We prohibit three things as per the law,” Scerbo said.
Coffey noted that that meant regulated cannabis, not unregulated cannabis, to which Scerbo confirmed.