To the Editor:

Now that retail cannabis stores have opened in New Jersey (and especially nearby on Route 1 in Lawrence) it has become abundantly clear that a lot of what we’ve been told to expect does not match the realities of what we’ve seen at retail stores. As this decision is considered for Princeton, it’s essential to discern the myths from reality.

Myth No. 1: The products sold in legal retail cannabis stores will be clean, safer, and better for our community than the underground market.

Reality: Sources continue to cite not nearly enough testing is done to verify the quality and safety of products being sold in legal New Jersey stores. This creates a false sense of safety that could be dangerous (for example, “NJ Cannabis Labs and Testing Quality Issues,” headynj.com).

Myth No. 2: The opening of retail cannabis stores will benefit minority, local business owners, reversing the impact the War on Drugs had on minority populations. And, as the Cannabis Task Force (CTF) reported, we can offer equity in sales availability for people with lower incomes.

Reality: The equity desire sought by our CTF will seldom be felt because of the exorbitant cost of retail legal cannabis. None of the seven marijuana dispensary companies granted approval for opening retail stores in New Jersey were small, minority owned. And the cost per ounce is not within reach for lower income populations. Add 6.625 percent NJ tax and optional 2 percent municipal tax.

Myth No. 3: It’s not dangerous for customers to purchase retail cannabis because they will be tended to by knowledgeable, educated staff members.

Reality: Press photo after photo showed customers taking advantage of touch-screen ordering systems, with no staff guidance in sight. It may be available, but if not used, there are inherent risks (“See inside N.J.’s upscale weed dispensaries on the first day of legal sales,” nj.com).

Myth No. 4: New Jersey will not be selling edibles. That’s not a concern we need to worry about here.

Reality: The same nj.com article described the excitement of a man whose first purchase included infused gummy candies. Ingestibles (lozenges) are here. We need to be concerned.

Myth No. 5: There will be no lines down the streets of Princeton if we open stores, because systems have been created for digital queues to eliminate that problem.

Reality: Just drive by. Every day since opening, the line at the Route 1 store has gone around the building.

Myth No. 6: Princeton police stated there will be no need for increased police services.

Reality: Police have been present outside the Route 1 facility daily. I don’t recall regular police presence is needed at any existing Palmer Square or Nassau Street store, do you?

Just look at the facts. We’ve been lied to repeatedly about what retail cannabis will bring. The reality is this is big business, with risks we’re not prepared for.

Bret Jacknow
Farrand Road