Where do Winslow and Atlantic City stand on recreational marijuana sales within their borders?

Although Winslow Township last week moved toward permitting some recreational marijuana businesses, it plans to bar marijuana retailers or establishments that deliver cannabis.

Under the Township Committee's plan, non-retail outlets for cultivating, manufacturing, wholesaling or distributing cannabis would be allowed only in commercial or industrial districts, and not in the Pinelands Region. Winslow covers more land area than any other Camden County town — about 58 square miles — and 80% of it is in the Pinelands.

The new local laws, which also would tax cannabis businesses locally at the maximum rates, were adopted by the Township Committee on July 20. A public hearing and final approval is scheduled for August 17 at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, Atlantic City is moving ahead with permitting cannabis retailers in all retail and commercial zones except one: the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Recreational marijuana distributors will be allowed to locate in any industrial area of the city, according to the new ordinance. 

A big attraction to municipalities is the ability to generate new revenue by collecting 1% or 2% on cannabis sales, depending on the type of business.

Municipalities must decide on cannabis businesses by late August, when the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission is due to release its rules. If the communities make no decision, then all classes of recreational marijuana businesses would be allowed within their borders for five years. 

Leaders in some communities, including Cherry Hill, have said they are reluctant to allow the cannabis industry in without first seeing the state regulations.

Among 70and73-area communities:

• Cherry Hill has moved ahead an ordinance prohibiting all recreational marijuana businesses, acknowledging that it may rethink the decision later this year when state regulations become available.
• Mount Laurel has approved recreational marijuana businesses in town.
• Evesham has approved recreational marijuana businesses in town.
• Voorhees has approved recreational marijuana businesses in town.
• Moorestown has been advised by a special Township Council committee to allow recreational marijuana businesses in town.
• Medford has prohibited the businesses.
• Medford Lakes has prohibited the businesses.

Haddonfield, Maple Shade and Camden have banned cannabis businesses.