TINTON FALLS – A subcommittee has been established to accept and review applications that will be submitted by individuals and entities seeking to operate cannabis businesses in Tinton Falls.
During a meeting on Sept. 6, the members of the Borough Council passed a resolution which establishes the process for cannabis business licensing in Tinton Falls. The resolution created the cannabis application subcommittee.
According to the resolution, the subcommittee members will accept applications for cannabis business licenses, review the applications, evaluate prospective applicants and make recommendations to the Borough Council for appropriate action.
Borough Council President Tracy Buckley and council members Risa Clay, Dr. Lawrence Dobrin and John Manginelli voted “yes” to create the cannabis application subcommittee. Councilman Michael Nesci abstained due to a conflict.
The resolution appointed Clay and Manginelli to the subcommittee for an initial term through Aug. 31, 2023.
In December 2021, council members adopted an ordinance that established the regulations to be followed by individuals and/or entities that are seeking local approval to obtain a cannabis business license.
However, an application package for potential cannabis business operators has remained unavailable since the ordinance’s adoption. The unavailability of an application package has been criticized by members of the public on various occasions during the past nine months.
Before the members of the governing body voted on the Sept. 6 resolution regarding the creation of the subcommittee, a resident asked if the creation of the cannabis application subcommittee means Tinton Falls officials are ready to start receiving applications.
Buckley said the council members would vote on a separate resolution to publish the application package. She said the borough’s cannabis ordinance is in the process of being amended and officials are seeking to complete the amendment before the application package is issued.
Manginelli has cited pending litigation regarding a cannabis application that was denied in another municipality as a factor for the delay in Tinton Falls. He has said the decision in that litigation could help guide Tinton Falls with its application package.