Township Committee tables proposed ban pending further information from residents
Stephen Finn
The Sun
The question of legal marijuana remains in New Jersey as Senate Bill 2703, a bill to regulate, tax and legalize marijuana, advances to the floors of the Senate and the Assembly for amendments and final votes before its final stop at the desk of Gov. Murphy. In light of the advancing bill, New Jersey towns have been scrambling to decide how they want to approach the possible change in state policy.
On Nov. 19, Cinnaminson’s Township Committee voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance banning retail sales of marijuana within township borders. In the month leading up to the public hearing for the ordinance, the issue became a topic of discussion among residents, a number of whom felt the committee had made a call without first seeking the views of locals.
On Dec. 17, the township committee met for a public hearing on the ordinance and heard from residents on both sides of the issue. It was ultimately decided the ordinance would be tabled as it became clear the issue was far from one-sided and a number of questions still remained. There was no vote cast for or against the proposed ban on retail sales.
Mayor Donald Brauckmann introduced the hearing by clarifying the proposed ban would cover only retail sales of marijuana to the general public and the members of the committee were aware of the medical uses of the drug and were not opposed to the idea of a medical dispensary.
“Nevertheless, this governing body universally agreed that introducing this ordinance regarding retail sales would create dialogue with our residents and it certainly did that,” said Brauckmann. “In addition, the month between introducing the ordinance and the public hearing on the ordinance provided us with sufficient time to listen to our residents and to further examine the issue before taking any formal action.”
In his introduction Brauckmann also pointed to a number of unknowns surrounding the actual effects of the possible changes to state law.
“There are a lot of variables that make it really hard for us to make a factual decision one way or another tonight. The biggest concern I have is that nobody, including state senators, can tell me how many dispensaries will be permitted statewide if and when this passes. This is a huge factor that will have a serious impact on any potential revenue that we would see,” said Brauckmann.
Lisa Smith was the first resident to comment. As an executive director for resources for independent living serving Burlington County, she has experience working with people who stand to benefit from medicinal marijuana. She was grateful the committee was open to the idea.
“Every day I see people who are in absolute chronic pain. I get phone calls from parents who are crying because their children have epilepsy and it can’t be stopped with traditional meds. I’ve had a close friend of mine whose daughter died from having seizures and could it have been controlled by medical marijuana? We’ll never know,” said Smith.
Smith concluded her comments by suggesting the committee turn the issue into a ballot question on which the public could vote.
Bonnie Weiskittel, a local educator and school administrator, was concerned about the possibility of marijuana cultivation facilities coming to the area and what it would mean for young people.
“My concern is that, if we allow someone to grow marijuana in Cinnaminson, how can we teach our kids that pot is not good?” asked Weiskittel.
Resident Louis Fadell has worked with cancer patients for around 40 years and pointed to “good science” in favor of treating patients with medicinal marijuana. He also spoke on concerns that had been expressed over children being exposed to the drug, comparing legal sale of marijuana to regulated sales of alcohol.
“As far as concerns over children using it, it’s the same as alcohol. The same as authorizing Whistler’s Inn down the street. Certainly don’t want kids doing that,” said Fadell.
Another resident warned of a possible domino effect, comparing the allowance of retail sales of marijuana to opening a gentleman’s club in Cinnaminson or a “seedy motel.” According to the man, it represented another “chip in the moral fabric of this country.”
After the public hearing came to a close, Committeewoman Stephanie Kravil volunteered to head a subcommittee, made up of both committee and community members, to further explore the issue. Deputy Mayor Ernest McGill volunteered for the committee as well.
Residents will have until Jan. 11 to contact the township clerk’s office at (856) 829–6000 ext. 2397 to express interest in joining the committee.
