MONTVALE, N.J.—Nearly two dozen borough residents expressed contrasting opinions at an April 15 public forum on whether cannabis should be available at local shops, with some calling for a ban, some promoting tax revenues to be gained, and others calling for more research on the issue.
A half-dozen in-person speakers and about 18 online commenters expressed opinions, some two or three times, during nearly two hours of a town hall meeting held by the Montvale mayor and council.
Mayor Michael Ghassali said 51 folks tuned into the Zoom meeting and about eight people came to council chambers to participate. Officials said they hope to introduce an ordinance on cannabis May 4.
Almost half the speakers said that while they might not want a local medical dispensary or marijuana retail shop, other marijuana-related options might be considered such as cultivation, manufacturing, wholesaling, distributing or delivery.
Moreover, a majority of residents agreed that despite their opposition to any local marijuana businesses, its legalization means that residents may be going to another neighboring town or even nearby New York, which recently legalized cannabis, to purchase recreational marijuana.
Borough Attorney Joseph Voytus told residents that even if officials decide to opt out of all six cannabis businesses before the Aug. 22 state deadline, they can decide at any time after that to opt back into any marijuana business they wish to permit.
Voytus said that more details about local cannabis rules, including the maximum number of local cannabis licenses, should be forthcoming from the state’s new Cannabis Regulatory Commission, which met officially April 12 for the first time.
The commission regulates 15 medical marijuana dispensaries that serve nearly 106,000 patients, and has plans to expand medical marijuana by adding 24 medical marijuana entities, including 15 new dispensaries, four cultivation centers and five vertically-integrated alternative treatment centers, wherein the same company grows, manufactures and sells medical marijuana.
Expanding the state’s medical marijuana industry, said CRC officials at its first meeting, holds the key to effectively launching the state’s recreational marijuana industry. The CRC is not yet accepting recreational marijuana license applications and so-called “adult-use” or recreational cannabis outlets are unlikely to open before 2022, said CRC officials.
In their own words
Several residents came out strongly against marijuana-related enterprises in town, alleging marijuana was a “gateway drug” to further drug abuse and more crime in town.
However, local officials—like those in every Pascack Valley town—face an Aug. 22 state deadline to decide which, if any, of six possible cannabis enterprises may be allowed to operate in town.
Many Pascack Valley towns appear to be fully opting out, due to time constraints on passing an ordinance, and appear to be taking a wait-and-see attitude on whether a future cannabis business opportunity makes sense.
If a town does not pass its own ordinance prohibiting or limiting the six types of cannabis licenses available, that town becomes automatically open for the six types of marijuana businesses after Aug. 22 for five years.
Local officials promised to keep an open mind, do more research, and introduce an ordinance on May 4, with a likely public hearing May 25.
Resident George Booth questioned how much revenue could really be raised on a 2% local excise tax.
“This [Montvale] is the crown jewel and we need to keep it that way,” said Booth, noting he was “adamantly opposed” to selling marijuana in town. “Let Montvale be clean and safe.”
Jarret Schumacher, a former council candidate, said the belief that marijuana was a gateway drug was a “complete myth” and said revenues from alternate marijuana businesses such as cultivation or a distribution center might be considered, and help reduce taxes.
He called it “rather hypocritical” for some residents to say marijuana is an evil drug when people can purchase alcohol, cigarettes and vape products, yet no one will be permitted to purchase marijuana though it’s now legal.
Schumacher urged the town to “think long term” about a marijuana business at a vacant or soon to be vacant property, noting a fourth round of affordable housing obligations are likely after July 2025, and vacant/empty properties may be eyed for future affordable units.
Hal Glaser, a former prosecutor, said he found prosecuting marijuana offenses “an incredible waste of resources” and wondered why Montvale would turn away a viable business opportunity.
“If we can sell alcohol, we can sell weed,” he said, noting residents will get their recreational marijuana nearby if they cannot get it in Montvale.
Noting the potential tax benefits to the town, he said residents “should have the opportunity and availability to get it here.”
Carolee Adams cited a National Institute of Drug Abuse study noting the study found cannabis use among teens can lead to drug abuse and addiction, and cannabis users had higher rates of using hard drugs. Adams said medical marijuana research is fine at local Memorial Sloan Kettering labs, but that’s the only use Montvale should allow.
Dana Venturo said “We as a society need to destigmatize marijuana” and that while marijuana treats anxiety, pain and other conditions, alcohol does not.
Matt Solomon questioned whether towns where pot was sold saw an uptick in crime and asked whether the Chamber of Commerce had surveyed businesses about impacts of prospective marijuana businesses coming to town.
Ghassali said he did not know of any data on crime stats near marijuana businesses and said no survey of businesses was done about whether the business community would welcome a marijuana business.
Councilman Douglas Arendacs called legalization and retail shop sales “a law enforcement dilemma” noting that local law enforcement must evaluate how to protect public safety and provide security needed for new cannabis enterprises.
He said public safety and security would be provided, though “not at the cost of our taxpayers here.”
Council President Timothy Lane said marijuana was legal in certain states but not at the federal level, and said it mostly operated as an all-cash business. He said he saw issues around marijuana business licensing, law enforcement questions, and taxing a mostly all-cash business.
He also said he’s always wondered that if it’s cheaper to buy it illegally, why would people buy it legally and pay more.
Another resident, Virginia Millar, said the “most dangerous part” of buying illegal marijuana is not knowing what’s in it, such as possible death-causing additives. She said this would not be a factor if purchasing marijuana at a state-regulated dispensary.
One resident said while she preferred Montvale did not have marijuana retail shops, she said it was likely local kids might drive to Paterson to get marijuana or another town, and then drive back home, taking more risks. She said maybe each county could be in charge of establishing some central retail locations.