Vineland Daily Journal

VINELAND - Voters are high on the idea of the city welcoming medical marijuana facilities.

Vineland residents embraced the proposal Tuesday in a referendum question by a 8,968 to 5,869 margin, according to unofficial results.

Vineland has been approached — almost exclusively through private contacts — about the city’s position on marijuana dispensaries and pot-growing businesses. But city officials have been loath to commit to a position that might not resonate with residents and decided to first find out what their constituents think.

The referendum question was nonbinding, meaning officials reserve the right to go against the wishes of the majority of voters.

In order for marijuana businesses to set up shop here, Vineland officials have said, local zoning rules would have to be revised to deal with where they could operate.

The question on the ballot read: “Shall the City of Vineland permit the siting of medical marijuana cultivation and dispensary alternative treatment centers within the geographic boundaries of Vineland?”

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New Jersey has announced plan to double the number of facilities that sell and grow medical marijuana in the state by granting six new licenses. Health officials are evaluating 146 proposals from companies seeking those licenses and have said two of them will be designated for facilities in South Jersey.

There currently are no medical marijuana businesses in Cumberland County.

The referendum Tuesday did not seek Vineland residents' opinions on recreational marijuana, which remains illegal in New Jersey. Efforts to legalize use of the drug continue to advance in the state Legislature but have hit repeated delays.

More marijuana news

NorthJersey.com