DOVER – House Majority Whip Ed Osienski issued the following statement Wednesday on the successful passage of SB 75, regulating the limitations that counties can impose upon marijuana sales.
“When we passed legislation legalizing adult use cannabis in 2023, we intended to create a tightly regulated, but accessible market that balanced public health, safety, and business opportunity. Unfortunately, our counties have imposed zoning restrictions so severe that they undermine the law’s intent and effectively ban legal cannabis operations completely.
“SB 75 addresses this by setting reasonable limits on county regulations, while still giving them the ability to protect sensitive areas like schools, daycares, and places of worship. I want to be clear that this bill will not cause communities to be flooded with cannabis shops – there are only 30 retail licenses total. To put that in perspective, we have more than 300 liquor stores across the state.
“The entrepreneurs who have secured retail licenses have already cleared a long list of hurdles and waited patiently to open their doors. They’re ready to serve customers safely and responsibly and SB 75 will give them that opportunity while still respecting local concerns.
“I want to thank my Senate sponsor, Sen.Trey Paradee, and my colleagues in the House for voting to pass this legislation.”
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