PETERSBURG – Upper Township is taking a look at whether to bring legal cannabis sales to the township.

The Township Committee, at its Dec. 15 meeting, authorized its attorney to review Upper’s cannabis ordinance, which prohibits the selling of cannabis, and look at revenue opportunities.

Mayor Curtis Corson said at that meeting that additional revenue from cannabis sales could help offset costs in the township. He noted that Middle Township was earning about $20,000 per month, which translates to $240,000 per year, from cannabis sales. A municipality can collect 2% on sales of cannabis.

A local resident, Spencer Bells, had advocated for permitting cannabis sales, saying the benefits included tax revenue, job creation and economic diversification. Bells urged the committee to consider allowing one cannabis retailer and several cultivators and manufacturers to improve local funding and support schools.

At a previous meeting, Corson said he was not in favor of having cannabis sales in the township. But on Dec. 15 he said the township could use the revenue.

“Expenses go up and income needs to go up, so we’re looking at it as a way to derive income,” he said.

The mayor said cannabis has always presented him with a moral dilemma. He said he still has reservations about it, but feels he has to do what is best for the township. He said cannabis was already in the township, being legal in New Jersey for medical and recreational use.

In a 2020 statewide referendum, 60% of Upper Township voters approved decriminalization of cannabis. Gov. Phil Murphy followed the passage of the referendum measure by signing the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act on Feb. 22, 2021, which legalized the recreational use of marijuana and created a regulatory and licensing schedule.

In May 2021, the township passed an ordinance that prohibited the sale of cannabis, an action allowed by state regulations. At the time, the Township Committee determined it was in the best interests of the health, safety and welfare of residents and visitors to prohibit all manner of marijuana-related land use and development.

Corson said he has visited some retail cannabis outlets and would prefer something that looks very discreet and not have, for example, neon ad signs.

Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.