It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to promote the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the residents and businesses within the Township of West Deptford by regulating the cultivation, processing, extraction, manufacturing, testing, distribution, transportation, sale, and consumption of marijuana, whether for medical or recreational purposes as currently allowed under New Jersey State law. It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to prohibit cannabis dispensaries but permit cannabis businesses, upon application and approval of a regulatory license, and in accordance with the criteria and procedures set forth in this Code. It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to provide opportunities for cannabis businesses to operate in the Township, while imposing regulations on the use of land to protect the Township's neighborhoods, residents, and businesses from negative impacts. It is a further purpose and intent of this chapter to regulate the cultivation, manufacturing, processing, testing and transporting of cannabis and cannabis-related products in a manner which is responsible, and which protects the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the Township of West Deptford, and to enforce rules and regulations consistent with state law. In part to meet these objectives, an annual license shall be required in order to own and/or to operate a cannabis business within the Township of West Deptford. Nothing in this chapter is intended to authorize the possession, use, or provision of cannabis for purposes which violate state or federal law. The provisions of this chapter are in addition to any other permits, licenses and approvals which may be required to conduct business in the Township and are in addition to any permits, licenses and approval required under state, county, or other law.
Pursuant to the New Jersey Constitution, and the provisions of the "New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act" (the "Act" or "NJCREMM"), the Township of West Deptford is authorized to adopt ordinances that establish standards, requirements and regulations for local licenses and permits for cannabis and cannabis-related activity. Any standards, requirements, and regulations regarding health and safety, security, and worker protections established by the State of New Jersey, or any of its departments or divisions, shall be the minimum standards applicable in the Township of West Deptford to cannabis and/or cannabis-related activity.
It is the responsibility of the owners and operators of the cannabis business to ensure that it is, at all times, operating in a manner compliant with all applicable state and local laws, and any regulations promulgated thereunder, and any specific additional operating procedures or requirements which may be imposed as conditions of approval of the cannabis business license. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as authorizing any actions which violate federal law, state law or local law with respect to the operation of a cannabis business.