With the marijuana legalization debate set to heat up this year in New Jersey, leaders in two of the state's highest-profile towns say they have no problem with weed businesses in their cities.

Should state lawmakers legalize pot, count Jersey City and Asbury Park among those likely to be a part of what could eventually be a billion-dollar industry.

On Wednesday, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop tweeted that he and city officials would be working with the public to "clean up" zoning laws to clarify where dispensaries and grow facilities would be allowed to operate.

I’m a supporter of legalization of marijuana + in next few weeks our planning dept is going to clean up JC zoning laws so that we can get ahead of where we’ll allow/not allow dispensaries, grow facilities etc. we want our zoning to be clear w/community input + to avoid lawsuits — Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) January 10, 2018

Two top officials in Asbury Park also said they're open to marijuana businesses in their town. Mayor John Moor and Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn both said as long as it's regulated by the state they have no problem with weed shops in Asbury Park.

"As long as it's a state law, I would have no problem with it," Moor said, adding that the city passed a resolution two years ago encouraging state lawmakers to legalize marijuana.

The Asbury Park Press first reported that Asbury Park officials supported marijuana establishments in the city.

Quinn said as long as weed is legal, she sees no reason why Asbury Park shouldn't have dispensaries.

"We don't want Asbury overrun with dispensaries, but we don't have an issue if it's regulated and taxed," she said. "We're known for having a variety of businesses. We want more businesses paying us taxes."

Asbury stands in opposition to other Shore towns, which have either taken steps to ban weed businesses or are considering doing so.

The Point Pleasant Beach Council voted on Dec. 19 to ban weed sales, both medicinal and recreational, in the town. Berkeley Township has introduced a similar ordinance, while Lavallette discussed such a measure at a recent council meeting, but decided to wait before taking action.

Towns away from the Shore are also starting to consider marijuana. Garfield on Tuesday introduced legislation that would ban pot sales, while Linden has formed a committee to study the potential impact of cannabis on the town. Other towns will surely continue crafting regulations regarding weed as the debate intensifies in Trenton.

Incoming Gov. Phil Murphy said he would sign a bill legalizing marijuana within his first 100 days in office.

State Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Linden, introduced a bill last year that would allow people to buy and possess marijuana, as well as establish a taxed and regulated commercial pot market.

That bill allows towns to decide if they want to allow pot sales within their borders, but the decision comes at a cost. Under Scutari's bill, towns that allow weed businesses are able to claim a percentage of tax revenue, while towns that ban pot wouldn't get any tax money.

One estimate found that New Jersey could generate up to $300 million in tax revenue from marijuana.

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Payton Guion may be reached at PGuion@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaytonGuion. Find NJ.com on Facebook.