SPARTA, NJ – Residents of Sparta will decide in November 2025 whether to permit cannabis retail shops in their township. A petition to bring this issue to a vote collected 1,529 signatures in just two weeks. However, Sparta Township Clerk Roxanne Landy rejected the initiative, citing a state law that prohibits challenging zoning ordinances through the petition process outlined in NJSA 40:69A-185.
Despite the petition’s invalidation, Sparta Township Mayor Neill Clark announced that the council will still present the question to voters in the upcoming election. Mayor Clark stated, “Although we are under no legal obligation to do so because the petition is invalid, we will submit a question on the November ballot asking Sparta voters whether cannabis dispensaries should be allowed in Sparta.” This decision acknowledges the significant number of residents who signed the petition, reflecting their interest in the issue.
At a forthcoming meeting on May 27, the township council plans to pause three cannabis-related ordinances until after the vote, allowing residents to express their opinions. Councilman Mark Scott emphasized the importance of allowing voters to make the decision, stating, “Let the voters decide.”
Prior to the petition’s rejection, there was confusion regarding the signature requirement. District 24 Assemblyman Michael Inganamort clarified that petitioners needed signatures from 15% of the voters who participated in the 2023 election, which amounted to 749 signatures based on 4,989 ballots cast.
Inganamort praised the petition process as beneficial for democracy, saying, “This was an opportunity for the electorate to exercise their democratic muscle.” He also mentioned ongoing discussions within the assembly oversight committee regarding cannabis safety standards and issues related to the black and gray markets. A recent independent study indicated that 30% of randomly tested cannabis products did not meet safety standards, primarily due to incorrectly labeled THC levels.
Inganamort noted that illegal marijuana remains cheaper, maintaining the persistence of the black market despite legalization efforts. As the community prepares for the November vote, residents of Sparta will have the chance to weigh in on the future of cannabis retail in their township.
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