Special Princeton Council meeting to discuss cannabis retail businesses postponed until the spring
The Princeton Council has decided to postpone a special council session to discuss the possibility of having retail cannabis stores in town.
Council members decided at the Dec. 21 council agenda session to hold a special meeting to discuss cannabis issues on Jan. 18.
Councilwoman Eve Niedergang sent an email to the press on Tuesday saying the meeting is being postponed and will probably be held in March. A new date for the public meeting has not been set yet.
On Dec. 16, the board of education for the Princeton Public Schools approved a statement to be sent to the Princeton Council regarding concerns about retail cannabis businesses operating in Princeton in the future.
School board members want a buffer of at least 1,000 feet for any cannabis dispensaries situated near schools. They also want a portion of tax revenues from cannabis dispensaries to be directed to the school district to be used for education regarding cannabis use and the effects of cannabis on health and the adolescent brain, and for policy reviews and training for issues related to students and staff suspected of cannabis use on school property. The school board also wants dispensary owners in town to strictly enforce laws prohibiting sales to minors.
More than 760 Princeton residents have signed a petition calling on the Princeton Council to prohibit the sale of cannabis near schools, playgrounds, and residential neighborhoods. Many residents who signed the petition agree that cannabis use should be decriminalized, but they say that doesn’t necessarily mean cannabis should be sold at retail stores on Princeton, or at least in certain locations in town. Several residents spoke out against having cannabis retail businesses at the school board meeting. The two people who spoke in favor of it during the meeting both want to open cannabis stores in town.
Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.
Around 20 respectful and patient people were given a total of 15 minutes to speak at the end of the last CTF meeting. I would not categorize that small window of time provided as the CTF willing to hear comments. The recommendations finalized at that CTF meeting could result in irrevocable serious permanent changes to town. The decision should be considered with care and caution. Much could be learned from other towns with existing dispensaries and consumption lounges. Other towns have been studied and well researched. It is reasonable to consider this information that perhaps the cannabis lobby members on the task force are not discussing.
Princeton does not need a dispensary.
Two dispensaries nearby. Delivery also available. $480 an ounce. 2 ounces per month
ZenLeaf on Route 1
Lawrence, NJ
Breakwater in Cranbury
2 Corporate Dr Suite E, Cranbury, NJ
Monday hours for seniors and medical use underage only.