Princeton Debates Cannabis Dispensaries At 4-Hour Meeting Tuesday

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton residents support the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana in the state, but many in general are against having recreational cannabis dispensaries. That was the broad message at Tuesday’s special Council meeting to discuss cannabis dispensaries in town.

Over 340 people attended the four-hour-long discussion on Tuesday.

Advocates for and against dispensaries made their presentations at the start of the meeting.

Chris Goldstein, of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), said New Jersey’s underground marijuana market is estimated to be around $2.3 billion per year with over 1 million consumers.

With the state legalizing cannabis, arrest rates among communities of color decreased, Goldstein said. “We don’t want cannabis taxes to go to the police department. What we do want is for cannabis taxes to go back to communities. Goldstein said regulated cannabis businesses increase property values and decrease crime.

Victor DeLuca, Deputy Mayor of Maplewood, spoke about the township’s path in promoting the sale of marijuana in the community. He advised the Princeton Mayor and Council to be inclusive, informative and intentional when making a decision on marijuana dispensaries in town.

Representing marijuana dispensary opponents was Princeton resident Matt Bellace, who is a clinical psychology and drug prevention speaker. He said a cannabis dispensary was not a right fit for the community.

“They are not setting up an infrastructure to help young people who might struggle. This is not about people in recovery. It’s not about the elderly or pregnant women,” Bellace said. “It’s about the money.”

He said the Cannabis Task Force report was one-sided, and questioned the absence of the Police department and school board. “There are three members of the CTF who are part of the cannabis industry,” Bellace said. “I want to know- where was the board of education? Where was the police?”

He said the CTF report did not talk about the negative impacts of marijuana. Bellace cited a survey conducted by Stop Pot Shops, in which 700 Princeton residents are against cannabis dispensaries.

Dr. Aaron Weiner, a psychologist and addiction specialist spoke about the harmful ways the cannabis industry advertises to children. “Every additional dispensary you put in; assume you’re going to get a 6.8 percent increase in hospitalizations due to marijuana products.”

“It’s so important to proceed thoughtfully. If you’re under the impression that there will be no impact of this other than just taking current cannabis users and giving them a legal place to buy it, that is incorrect.”

The public comment section lasted for over two hours. Many concerned residents pointed out Princeton voted to legalize marijuana out of concern for unlawful incarcerations in the past and not for dispensaries to open near schools, playgrounds, and residential areas.

The odor of marijuana was not something residents wanted to live with, one speaker said.

Residents also said Princeton does not have the right infrastructure to open new cannabis dispensaries. With no pharmacies and grocery stores available within walking distance in the Township, having a cannabis dispensary was not important, a resident said.

Meanwhile, other residents said Princeton could benefit from an “intentional” approach to marijuana dispensaries. They want the Council to “engage proactively” since a large majority of the township voted in favor of legalization.

One resident pointed out that having a dispensary would ensure safe and quality product for cannabis users in town. Restricting cannabis sale to deliveries from unknown places was risky, the resident said. A cannabis dispensary would also curb black market distribution.

Openness and education could help in preventing youth drug use, but trying to curb use by kicking dispensaries out of town was futile because cannabis was coming “one way or another,” a speaker said.

The Council ended the meeting at 11 p.m. and decided to continue the discussion for another day. A date has not been announced yet.

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