THE MAYOR AND MARIJUANA

Want to score an ounce of pot (a.k.a. cannabis), then you need to leave Middletown

To most of Middletown residents, the ban on the sale of cannabis is now a
moot point. On July 16, 2021 the Township committee amended the municipal
code to prohibit the operation of any cannabis business within its jurisdiction.

What I can’t get out of my mind is the mockery of the public hearing process
on this ordinance. From his bully pulpit of the mayoral seat Tony Perry
thwarted the ability of the public to offer their position on the ordinance
(unless they agreed with him).

One of the speakers was Rocky Rios, a candidate for Township committee. Perry usurped any opportunity for his political opponent to offer an alternate point of view on the sale of cannabis.

Therefore, I thought it might be worthwhile to listen to his position,
uninterrupted by the mayor’s diatribe. It was time well spent as Rocky had
many salient points on why cannabis should be allowed to be sold in
Middletown.

Since the code has been amended, reiterating his position is not my intent. My
question is what is mayor Perry afraid of? Allowing a legally permitted business
to be located in Middletown? He opines That the New Jersey legislature has
no idea how to implement the wishes of the voters.? (It’s easy to make it
target of the state legislature). Does he believe That the Township’s staff –
planning director, township engineer, police chief, township attorney do not
have the skills to implement the local regulation of cannabis growth and sales?
Or maybe he does not accept that there is a process that allows the public to
legitimately participate in the decision-making process. 

A process that for the most part was ignored.

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His failure, in my opinion, was to focus on the problem and not consider
solutions. After all the sale and growth of cannabis is now legal in. Additionally,
a majority of Middletown residents supported that legalization. Why not start
with a proposal to develop the appropriate regulations i.e., set up rules for
where, when and how. Most of which can be accomplished in an amendment
to the zoning code.

Why not consider requirements that have been included in the existing state
legislation and discussed in great detail by the New Jersey State League of
Municipalities on how cannabis based business can operate in our town in
anticipation of the state defining licensing requirements? A presentation
directed at New Jersey mayors.

It is much easier just to say No and avoid the hard work of getting to Yes. So,
he chose to support the prohibition of a small business with the potential to
bring revenues to the Township. He chose to deny the residents the ability to
purchase a retail product. A product that is essentially though different on
their impact on the user as either alcohol or tobacco. The sale of a product
that majority of his constituents supported. 

So, what does Tony Perry fear?

Exposure of his inability to provide leadership in meeting the challenge of
managing the legal growth and sale of cannabis? 

His inability to listen when the public present opinions and facts that should be considered in theregulation of small business? 

His inability to deal within a transparent legislative process.

But back to my main question – 

Why did Perry eliminate the ability of an entire class of small businesses to operate in the Township? 

Was it because he did not want either women or minorities to benefit by the sale of cannabis? 

Wa sit because he did not believe that either his staff or the Township committee
had the time or ability to write the roles for the Township to enforce? 

Certainly, it is politically expedient to blame the State for a lengthy bureaucratic process.Why wouldn’t a Republican criticize a Democrat in power?

His examples of retail cannabis being sold next to parks or schools is simple
fear mongering to parents. He conveniently forgets that there is a zoning code
that regulates the location of any business within the Township. As a Township
committeeman he can vote on the location and extent of any new business
within the Township.

Unfortunately, his default mode is to deflect the question then blaming
someone else rather than seek legitimate answer. That is not leadership; that
is simple partisan politics. Something which Tony Perry excels at.

The reason municipalities are opting out is because of the lack of information,

How far should a marijuana dispensary be from a school, a house of worship, a park?

You’re taking away the certain rights of parents.”

“For the longest time I keep hearing, ‘Let’s govern it like we do alcohol,’ but it is not governed like alcohol, Licenses are not determined by population; they are determined by the governing body. Background checks are not done by the police, they are done by the state.”