Chatham Borough Wants Residents To Take Pot Survey

CHATHAM, NJ - As Gov. Phil Murphy comes closes to completing his campaign promise of making marijuana legalization a reality, the governing body in Chatham Borough is asking for residents to give their thoughts on how to proceed.

Those who want to weigh in don't need to come to a meeting or call or email the officials, all they have to do is partake in an online survey through PLANETCIVIC.

"Please take a few moments to complete the PLANETCIVIC four question survey," Borough Administrator Stephen W. Williams said. "Residents will have to register with the PLANETCIVICwebsite prior to taking the survey. Residents can also reach the PLANETCIVIC survey by going to the Borough website www.chathamborough.org."

At the Sept. 12 meeting of the governing body, Councilman James Collander appealed to the public for their opinion and Council President Len Resto said that he did not support the usage of marijuana past its medicinal application.

But Councilman Bob Weber told Patch that there is no place for a proposed pot shop in Chatham Borough.

"As a father, teacher, and scout leader I am very concerned about the impact legalized marijuana will have on our children and young adults. By legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, children and young adults will mistakenly believe that marijuana use is not harmful. For those with developing brains, under 26 years of age, this is simply not true," Weber said. "Regular use of marijuana by adolescents and young adults impacts brain development and results in lower scores on executive functions, including memory, learning and other cognitive tests than non-users. Despite this evidence, the state wants to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for those 21 and over."

Weber, a former Assistant Morris County Prosecutor for 26 years, said it is naive to think that regulation by the state will prevent those under 21 from obtaining and using marijuana.

In nearby Chatham Township, the Chatham Township committee voted in April to ban commercial sales of marijuana within the town. The ban includes "marijuana cultivation facilities, marijuana production or manufacturing facilities, marijuana testing facilities, and retail marijuana stores." The ban is a preemptive measure in case a marijuana is legalized recreationally on the state level, something Gov. Phil Murphy has said he supports.

"Our efforts to ban the production, manufacturing, and sale of marijuana in Chatham Township in April was a preemptive measure against Governor Murphy's ill-conceived idea that legalizing recreational marijuana would be in the best interest of New Jersey," Chatham Township Mayor Curt Ritter told Patch. "As the Garden State I would prefer that New Jersey continue be recognized for its cranberries, tomatoes, and corn and not for drugs that will have a detrimental impact on our communities."

For his part, Weber wants something similar done in Chatham Borough, and it is now up to residents to say what they want.

"The State of New Jersey Legislature is considering bills which could legalize the sale and use of recreational marijuana in the near future," Williams said. "Chatham Borough’s Mayor and Borough Council are interested in residents thoughts on this subject."

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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