Surf City to Ban Sale of Marijuana

Surf City is adding their name to a list of New Jersey towns that have preemptively ban the sale, growing, and distribution of pot ahead of Senator Scutari's bill to legalize marijuana in New Jersey.

According to WHYY.org the proposed bill would, "...[P]ermit possession of up to an ounce of marijuana, 16 ounces of a marijuana infused product in solid form, 72 ounces in liquid form, and seven grams of concentrate, but would prohibit home cultivation and consuming marijuana openly."

Towns have varied in their support and disapproval for the bill with Berkley Township, Lavallette, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, and Wildwood placing bans ahead of the legislation. Atlantic City and Asbury Park have shown their support for the legalization.

The Surf City ordinance that has been put in place will include a sentence of up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000 and states:

The sale, resale, purchase, acquisition, distribution, dispensation, and cultivation of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia are prohibited in the Borough of Surf City, notwithstanding any non-preemptive federal or state law to the contrary. Marijuana cultivation facilities, marijuana product manufacturing facilities, marijuana testing facilities, marijuana retailers, and marijuana establishments are prohibited in the Borough of Surf City, notwithstanding any non-preemptive federal or state law to the contrary.

Polls have had varied results on the topic of legalizing marijuana. A Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll from this year showed that 42% of respondents were for legalization, while almost an equal 42% were for decriminalization. Last year a Quinnipiac University poll resulted in 59% of respondents reporting that they were for legalization.

Source: WHYY.org