To the Editor:

Enough articles, comments, and editorials have been shared extensively and passionately on recreational cannabis being sold in Princeton. As I think, why add another comment in this battle-wearied topic, I decided to share my observations from 11 years of women’s ministry work at my church, Princeton Alliance. These are my experiences from the front lines.

I have given much comfort and support to moms and grandmoms over the years traumatized by drug addicted young people in their families. These young people are from our area, and as children they were cared for by very good parents and families. When drugs come into their lives, the youth become unrecognizable at their worst, and eventually they may come around after several destructive years if they don’t die on the streets; then they still live a life of dependence on their parents. Rarely do the parents share that their young adult children are still very dependent on them for emotional and financial support, and medical insurance too. They don’t post on Facebook. They come to places of worship and faith. I am glad that we are here to help and support the caregivers. The common theme that I heard from these sorrow-filled ladies is that their children’s path to hard drugs started with marijuana. Their children were cared for so well, and yet how can this happen to good, educated families in our areas?

Our youth have been very traumatized in the last two years because of the pandemic, social unrests, death, family fights and divorces, bullying online and off, learning challenges, screen addiction, etc. They will look for relief from their escalating anxieties, anguish, and mental turmoil. I am concerned that our youth will look for relief in recreational cannabis. All the studies and reports that I have researched show that when recreational cannabis becomes legal in the state, then more youth will do marijuana. As of now, there are 13 recreational cannabis shops in New Jersey with two stores by Zen Leaf opened in central New Jersey — one is a walking distance from Quaker Bridge Mall on Route 1.

Recreational cannabis is already in our state. Sadly, I am bracing for more lamenting moms and grandmoms coming to our church for support, help, and prayers. I really hope that Princeton will keep a buffer for our youth for a tad longer by not having a marijuana store in town. Thank you for reading my appeal.

By the way, if there are any young people who use marijuana regularly and are still getting into good universities and are productive, successful members in society, then please enlighten me. I know not one. I would love to speak to that young person, maybe I am not seeing the whole picture. Please find me at Princeton Alliance Church, the majority of our pastors know me there. Thank you.

Sasha Weinstein
Shady Brook Lane