420 Warrior
Well-Known Member
Support for medical marijuana may be gaining ground, as four Republican Committeemen voted in favor of an ordinance Wednesday that could permit a medical marijuana facility to be constructed in Plumsted.
Under the ordinance, a state-approved medical marijuana company could apply before the township Land Use Board to place a cultivation center within the town's light industrial zone 1.
The ordinance reverses a December action by the five-member Township Committee that blocked applications before the Land Use Board that are not in compliance with federal law. Federal law does not yet recognize the use of medically-prescribed marijuana, although New Jersey law does.
Four committee members supported the new ordinance: Mayor David Leutwyler, Jack Trotta, Michael Wysong and Herbert "Herb" Marinari. Deputy Mayor Eric Sorchik cast the lone dissenting vote.
Explaining his objection, Sorchik said the federal government could close a medical marijuana facility in the future, and that the town should insist on compliance with federal law.
Marinari, a four-time cancer survivor, said he could not put aside his personal experience when considering the issue. Aside from cancer patients, medical marijuana is used to help people affected by about 40 other diseases, he said.
"This is not specific for cancer. This is specific for a lot of things," he said. "This (ordinance) is something that Plumsted should be proud of."
Various towns have considered the issue as medical marijuana companies in the state hunt for locations for future cultivation and distribution centers.
News Hawk - 420 Warrior 420 MAGAZINE
Location: Plumsted, NJ
Source: Asbury Park Press
Author: Amanda Oglesby
Copyright: 2012 Asbury Park Press
Website: www.app.com
Under the ordinance, a state-approved medical marijuana company could apply before the township Land Use Board to place a cultivation center within the town's light industrial zone 1.
The ordinance reverses a December action by the five-member Township Committee that blocked applications before the Land Use Board that are not in compliance with federal law. Federal law does not yet recognize the use of medically-prescribed marijuana, although New Jersey law does.
Four committee members supported the new ordinance: Mayor David Leutwyler, Jack Trotta, Michael Wysong and Herbert "Herb" Marinari. Deputy Mayor Eric Sorchik cast the lone dissenting vote.
Explaining his objection, Sorchik said the federal government could close a medical marijuana facility in the future, and that the town should insist on compliance with federal law.
Marinari, a four-time cancer survivor, said he could not put aside his personal experience when considering the issue. Aside from cancer patients, medical marijuana is used to help people affected by about 40 other diseases, he said.
"This is not specific for cancer. This is specific for a lot of things," he said. "This (ordinance) is something that Plumsted should be proud of."
Various towns have considered the issue as medical marijuana companies in the state hunt for locations for future cultivation and distribution centers.
News Hawk - 420 Warrior 420 MAGAZINE
Location: Plumsted, NJ
Source: Asbury Park Press
Author: Amanda Oglesby
Copyright: 2012 Asbury Park Press
Website: www.app.com
