(Wyckoff) Township Committeemen Tom Madigan and Tim Shanley took steps this week to address the pending liberalization of New Jersey’s policy on marijuana.

With Trenton politicians likely to legalize marijuana in the next six months, Madigan and Shanley introduced an ordinance to ban the sale of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia in Wyckoff.

Committeeman Shanley, the father of three young children, said the ordinance is necessary so: “we can protect the township’s children from exposure to the negative influences that could likely arise from the retail sale of marijuana in our town. If the legislature makes pot legal, we don’t want it sold in retail establishments in our town. We can protect our neighborhoods by outlawing the retail sale of marijuana in our town.”

Madigan said the township committee is supporting the ordinance and Shanley and he are acting proactively to address an issue that could have profound impact on communities.

“While many people support marijuana legalization there is nevertheless negative side effects that have been reported in Colorado and elsewhere stemming from the widespread sale of marijuana for recreational purposes. We want to make sure our community values are protected,” said Madigan.

The ordinance was approved on introduction and will now go to the Township Planning Board, which will review the ordinance and return it to the Township Committee for the July 17 meeting

The ordinance does not ban the sale of medical marijuana prescribed by a physician and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.