Cannabis Legalization:
a Legislative Priority for Urban Municipalities
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ORANGE, NJ – Almost immediately upon being named as chairperson of the New Jersey Urban Mayor’s Committee on Cannabis, Orange Mayor Dwayne D. Warren, Esq. announced plans to host a summit to examine the impact of New Jersey’s recent legalization of cannabis. As Vice President of NJUMA, Mayor Warren has made this issue a legislative priority.
On December 17, 2020, the much anticipated marijuana legalization bill passed to make cannabis legal in New Jersey. Mayor Warren and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who is NJUMA president, have been working together on the issue of cannabis legalization to ensure that the interests of urban municipalities are represented.
“The passage of S21 compels municipalities to either object to cannabis business in their community or create a local standard of operation for cultivation facilities or dispensaries,” Warren said in a press release. In light of this weighty decision for local government leaders, Mayor Warren and the Committee on Cannabis plan to hold a summit in the near future.
“First, we’ll have people come in and understand what the new legislation is all about and how community will be affected,” Warren said. “We will have a session regarding model ordinances on a variety of issues from public safety to zoning and compliance. Then we will hear from some of the business people on their concerns. Finally, we will receive input from governmental leaders as to how municipalities and local business will be able to benefit from the economic boom that the cannabis industry is going to spawn. The ultimate aim is to create an environment that is desirable for the residents in the municipalities.”
Playing a dual role as chairperson of the Committee on Cannabis at the local level and northern New Jersey vice president at the state level, Warren detailed his responsibilities. “We have to focus on economic development. That means we must make sure that urban areas thrive and that they are attractive to business development, with community input,” Warren said. “We do not want to just have huge developments and not include any of the people who live in those neighborhoods.”
NJUMA, which consists of mayors from 35 municipalities, is the state’s premier research and policy organization on urban issues. The group works closely with the John Watson Institute at Thomas Edison College to form new policies and forge connections to benefit urban areas.
Discussing the association’s history and the institute’s work, Mayor Warren said. “The issues we address are common in urban areas and they are not effectively dealt with on a one urban area at a time basis.” Warren said. “Our strength lies in our decision to band together and present some of our common policy needs in a unified manner. Doing so will ensure continuity that will outlast the term of any one officeholder.”
“By all accounts urban areas are the drivers of the population growth, the economy and social advancement. Therefore, we want to have small businesses prosper, we want people to take advantage of our transportation and invest in the diverse housing stock that is typical of urban New Jersey.”
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