To the Editor:

Council has heard a lot of comments about cannabis and kids. Nobody wants our kids to be drunk or high, but the issue at hand is about cannabis stores in Princeton.

These stores are serious about customers being over 21. They have an entry room with security cameras where you show your ID, which they add to a database. (It’s more big brother-y than license plate readers or buying alcohol.) Only then are you allowed through a locked door into the showroom.

Who will be selling weed to kids? Not the stores. Kids will still be able to get cheaper, non-boutique weed from a friend of a friend, sometimes 0 feet away from a school.

Opponents say, “drive to another town,” but some folks can’t drive, or want to shop locally. Opponents say, “just get it delivered,” but given the wide choice of new products, knowledgeable retail salespeople are almost required.

Council’s power is to either allow these new small businesses, or not. The three new cannabis shops will help fill storefronts, help local retail activity in general, and help the adults who choose to buy there. The stores won’t sell to teens, who will still get weed elsewhere. We might increase the 500 feet buffer and share the tax with the schools, as School Board members recommended, but let’s proceed.

Bob Schwartz
Grover Avenue