Wayne NJ weed ban upsets medical marijuana advocates
3 min read
WAYNE – All marijuana sales are banned within local borders under a new measure backed this week by drug control advocates and the community’s top law enforcement officer.
However, some critics of the Zoning Act, passed by the Board of Directors in an 8: 1 vote, argued that such a ban would disrupt a vulnerable segment of the population: those who take the drug as medicine.
At a virtual public hearing that began late Wednesday and ended after midnight, callers from across the state admonished the local council to “put the sick and dying in line”.
Among them was Edward “Lefty” Grimes, an activist from East Hanover.
“What will you do when you meet God and he’s in a wheelchair?” he said. “What are you going to do? Think about it.”
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The republican-controlled council move comes as more states across the country accept marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes. By this week, 15 states – most recently New Mexico and Virginia – had legalized the drug.
Local ordinance prohibits all types of cannabis stores, including growers, retail stores, and medical pharmacies, from opening in the community.
Officials from Wayne and every other community in New Jersey had six months to make that decision after Governor Phil Murphy signed a law in February legalizing the possession and use of marijuana for those under the age of 21.
The municipality banned weed sales three years ago, but state law lifted that ban.
Had the officials not acted within the six month window, they would have been forced to open weed sales operations in the community for five years.
Mayor Christopher Vergano called on the council to vote in favor of the new law, as marijuana is often referred to as a “gateway drug” to harder substances. He also noted the police’s reliance on naloxone as an antidote to reverse the deadly effects of heroin on teenagers and young adults.
“I’m worried about these people,” said the mayor. “The most feasible thing you can do now is to ban this all over town.”
Vergano’s concerns were shared by Police Chief John McNiff, a former DARE officer, and Robbin Gulino, coordinator of the Wayne Alliance Volunteer for Drug Abuse Prevention.
“Just because it is legal for adults, it is not safe or healthy, especially for our children,” the boss said, turning to the council before voting.
Councilor Francine Ritter from the 5th Division said her colleagues on the governing body should consider that pharmacies could be regulated in the same way as bars and liquor stores.
“Let’s not be hypocrites,” said Ritter. “I don’t know how often I look at alcohol-licensed agendas. We have one tonight – and we seem to have one every other night.”
Ritter, a Democrat, suggested removing the ordinance from examination until a public forum is held to collect additional contributions on the matter.
“The horse is already out of the stable,” she added, referring to the legalization of marijuana.
City Councilor Joseph Scuralli, who represented the 4th Division, countered the argument that alcohol was more dangerous than marijuana and knew many people whose lives had been “destroyed” by the drug.
“I voted for this ban last time and I am voting for it now,” he said. “And I don’t need time to think about it.”
Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. Subscribe or activate your digital account today for full access to the most important news from your local community.
E-mail: devencentis@northjersey.com
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