Expanded weed rules could let Barrington’s shuttered International Paper plant become a cannabis business, mayor says

Barrington has introduced three ordinances that would expand, regulate, and tax sales for cannabis businesses.

Kyle Hanson, Barrington’s mayor, said the legislative moves are an effort to make the borough’s International Paper facility, set to close Monday, attractive to cannabis companies that could move in.

The Memphis-based company with nearly 200 facilities across the country announced this summer that its Barrington plant would close in the third quarter of 2026 as part of its restructuring plan and lay off 126 workers.

Amy Simpson, an International Paper spokesperson, said Monday was the last production date for the Barrington facility.

While no cannabis business (or others) have approached Barrington about taking over the facility, Hanson said he brought the idea to the borough’s council in the hope that broadening permitted uses could bring more economic development to the closing facility and vacant properties in the district.

“The decision was more about being proactive with our zoning and giving ourselves additional options as we prepare for the loss of a long-time town business,” Hanson said by email.

The package, which had its first reading by Barrington’s council on Aug. 11, would allow cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, and delivery establishments, along with cannabis wholesalers and retailers already permitted in the borough, to operate in the manufacturing district. The proposal would allow cannabis delivery companies to work in the business commercial district, too.

The borough would apply a 2% municipal transfer tax to sales by those businesses, except cannabis wholesalers, which would get a 1% tax. One ordinance also sets conditions, including that the facilities would be more than 200 feet away from educational buildings and other cannabis plants and more than 50 feet from residential neighborhoods.

International Paper has other facilities in South Jersey, including in Bellmawr, West Deptford, and Vineland.

Simpson said the site at 100 E. Gloucester Pike isn’t currently on the market, but a sale should come in mid-2027. She did not answer whether an agreement is currently in place for the property.

The ordinances are scheduled for a public hearing and vote on Sept. 8. at a borough council meeting. Hanson said council unanimously agreed to move forward with the ordinances for a vote, so he expects all members to approve.