PHOTO COURTESY OF VALLEY WELLNESS

Hopewell Borough to discuss options on cannabis business licenses at March meeting

Hopewell Borough Council members are continuing their discussion on whether the governing body will permit any cannabis business class licenses in the borough.

The council held a discussion on the topic at its Feb. 3 meeting but no action was taken on next steps.

Council members will continue to discuss options at the council’s next meeting in March, according to Borough Administrator Michele Hovan.

In 2021, the council adopted an opt-out ordinance to prohibit all six class licenses in the borough. Municipalities had to decide by Aug. 21 whether to opt in; those who opted out could reconsider at any time.

The opt out has given borough officials more time to discuss the issue.

There are six types of licenses the Cannabis Regulatory Commission can issue: cultivator (grower), manufacturer (processor), wholesaler, distributor, retailer and delivery service.

Hopewell Borough can choose which of the six licenses would be allowed, but cannot deny delivery services to come through town to residents.

According to the New Jersey State League of Municipalities (NJLM), once a municipality permits a cannabis establishment or distributor operations in their community, that action remains valid for five years, after which the municipality will receive another window of 180 days to prohibit or limit operations.