Local municipalities in New Jersey retain local control in response to a state law that legalizes marijuana businesses throughout the state.
Marsha A. Stoltz reports for NorthJersey.com that the borough of Oakland, in New Jersey, has approved a new marijuana ordinance that allows non-retail marijuana businesses to locate in industrial areas. The borough council approved three separate ordinances to clear the way for cultivation, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, and delivery businesses. Retail is the only kind of business left out.
"Ordinance 863 defines the zones. Ordinance 872 sets out licensing regulations. Ordinance 873 establishes procedures for the 2% transfer taxes on those businesses," according to Stoltz.
The ordinances are one example of a response to a law signed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy in February that legalized all forms of commercial marijuana business. "All New Jersey municipalities were required to reinstate cannabis bans nullified" by the law, according to Stoltz. "Any municipality which did not reinstate bans could not do so for five years after the Aug. 21 deadline."
A separate article by Stoltz, published ahead of the council vote, provides additional context on Oakland's new ordinances.
FULL STORY: Oakland approves ordinances allowing non-retail cannabis businesses
The Hypocrisies and Troubles of Local Control
President Trump has opinions about the sanctity of local control that don't agree with his other opinions about local control. This is a cautionary tale.
It's Easier to Consume Marijuana in Public in Colorado, Starting Today
This article pitches Colorado's new commercial marijuana regulations, including making more space for public consumption, as a way for the state to keep up with California.
Biden Wants to Incentivize Inclusionary Zoning
Traditionally the purview of local governments, single-family zoning has come under fire as ‘exclusionary.’ Now, the federal government wants to encourage cities to loosen restrictions.
Planning for Congestion Relief
The third and final installment of Planetizen's examination of the role of the planning profession in both perpetuating and solving traffic congestion.
Minneapolis Housing Plan a Success—Not for the Reason You Think
Housing advocates praise the city’s move to eliminate single-family zoning by legalizing triplexes on single-family lots, but that isn’t why housing construction is growing.
‘Mega-Landlords’ Threaten Housing Stability for Renters
As institutional investors buy up a larger share of single-family homes, the families renting them are increasingly vulnerable to rent increases and eviction.
Short-Term Rentals Vex Dallas City Council
Residents complain that vacation rentals exacerbate the city’s housing shortage and bring traffic and noise to residential neighborhoods, calling on the city to impose—and enforce—stricter regulations.
Traffic Fatalities Set Records as Pandemic-Era Road Carnage Shows No Signs of Stopping
An estimated 42,915 people died in automobile crashes in 2021, according to recent federal data. The increasing fatalities continue a trend that began with the outset of the pandemic.
Driver Shortage Undercuts the Potential of L.A.’s Recent Bus System Redesign
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority implemented a complete overhaul of its bus system in three waves over the course of 2021. A shortage of drivers for the system has made it impossible to implement that vision.
County of Sonoma
City of Malibu
EMC Planning Group Inc.
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Redwood City
City of Rohnert Park
City of Hot Springs
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
