PETERSBURG — Township Committee voted unanimously Feb. 25 to allow one retail cannabis shop on Roosevelt Boulevard just outside Ocean City, despite numerous pleas for the five members not to do so.
Multiple residents of Upper Township and Ocean City spoke out in opposition for nearly two hours but failed to sway one vote as committeemen approved a trio of measures opening the door to the business. The next step is to solicit bids and name a licensee.
The township expects to earn an estimated $20,000 a month from the 2 percent tax on sales and has dedicated it to three separate pots: general fund, recreation and beach maintenance/replenishment. In addition, the township would collect a $10,000 application fee, with half returned to those who are unsuccessful, and a $7,500 annual license fee.
Mayor Curtis Corson, who has been upfront about the need to increase revenue to help fund the annual budget, also believes the real estate taxes will increase for the property where the business is located, generating further revenue.
The measures create a cannabis overlay zone between the Garden State Parkway Exit 25 interchange and the 34th Street bridge where retail sales will be permitted at one location, create a license and allow for taxation.
The Planning Board deemed the ordinances comply with the township Master Plan on Feb. 5. Allowable hours of operation will mirror liquor stores, which operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Prior to public comment, Corson told the crowd they each would get 5 minutes to speak and must address comments to the committee as a whole, not individuals and not one another.
“This is not a debate, this is not a back and forth, but an opportunity for residents to have their perspectives formally entered onto the record,” he said.
Corson said Township Committee has thoroughly vetted the topic.
“In weighing this ordinance, the committee considered several key factors,” he said, noting “the need for responsible, sustainable revenue to support the township services and limited burden to the taxpayers” and that “cannabis is legal in the state of New Jersey and available through delivery in Upper Township.”
Corson said the proposed location is not close to residential areas, noting that “data from neighboring towns show no meaningful correlation between regulated cannabis and businesses with increased crime.”
Public input is an important part of this process, he said.
“Tonight’s comments will help inform the committee as we continue our deliberation,” Corson said. “We’re here to hear your opinion and take it into consideration.”
Diane Leo, a senior citizen who was one of only a few people who spoke out against the idea at a previous meeting, said approving a cannabis shop sends “a very dangerous message to our most vulnerable and impressionable sons and daughters that taking intoxicating drugs is acceptable.”
“Ironically, these same students pass by a sign in Ocean City that says, ‘Learn and play, keep drugs away,’” Leo added.
Leo listed a cadre of medical reasons why using cannabis is bad for youth and young adults.
“THC consumption contributes to such disorders as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and even suicide,” she said.
Lou Barbito, a frequent member of the audience, noted his daughter’s former softball coach, Bill Handley, was in the audience.
“The reason I’m doing that is that is why I moved to this township, for recreation and for the kids to have fun, learn morals and grow up to be competent adults,” Barbito said. “What I’m seeing here is the influx of a drug that is really going to hurt that influence that people like Mr. Handley have.”
Kristin Myers of Tuckahoe identified herself as a recovering addict who struggled with the disease for 18 years.
“Where did I start? I started with marijuana. Marijuana was my gateway. And then what did that lead me to? It led me to prescription pain medication. It led me to alcohol until I was a complete slave to this disease,” she said.
Myers believes having to see a cannabis shop every day as she passes by will threaten her sobriety.
“You don’t know what that does to somebody who is in recovery, who is really trying to save their life right now. You are choosing life or death for people right now. Either you want to make the money or you want to choose the life of the people who live in your community.”
Anna Nistorenko of Ocean View said she feels there is another way to generate revenue.
“Sacrificing our youth and young adults for revenue can’t be the answer,” she said. “I’m totally against the cannabis dispensary that is being proposed.”
Nistorenko said she found the same information as Leo, noting studies that show using cannabis as a teen and young adult can negatively affect their mental health.
She also said allowing a cannabis store outside Ocean City would harm the island’s family-friendly reputation.
“We moved here 15 years ago, and what was the beautiful thing that was attractive? Ocean City, the family town. I can tell you that when there’s a cannabis dispensary on your way into the city, there’s no way you can tell me that’s a family town,” Nistorenko said. “We are basically asking for people to stop and get weed on their way to the beach, and that is just going to cause more challenges for the police department. Our job is to protect the next generation. That is our job.”
Liz Nicoletti, another Ocean City resident and former member of the city school board, agreed that the location would harm the city’s identity.
“I’m going to be really disappointed if you guys go with this, because I think the location is pretty bad because it’s a family town and they love it because it’s dry,” she said.
Nathalie Neiss, a frequent critic of the administration and the mayor in particular, said she is concerned for the health, safety and welfare of the community.
“I don’t think it’s right. I don’t think it belongs in our community. I’m against it,” she said. “Mr. Corson, I see you as a desperate leader. Anybody that could go publicly and say, six months ago I was a hard no, and in the next breath turn around and say this is all about the revenue. How dare you sell our community out.”
Ocean City resident Carrie Foulke was passionate about her opposition, saying her son suffered marijuana-induced psychosis and eventually had to be incarcerated.
“My son has not spoken to me in four years because he feels that his grandparents and parents wish to put him in jail. Because in this state and this country, the only way we have to help our children as adults is — we cannot force them to get help — is to do well visits by way of the police.”
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff