Legal Weed Advocates Make Their Case in OC

OCEAN CITY – City Council heard pleas from two pro-cannabis speakers at its March 8 meeting, and shut down a growing argument between them and a firmly anti-marijuana resident. 
Hugh Giordano, a representative of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 152, told council that the cannabis industry means good jobs, and Lefty Grimes, a resident of East Hanover, described the drug as important medicine that can save lives.
Grimes said they were at the meeting as part of a coordinated campaign to advocate for marijuana in towns. 
So far, City Council members have made clear their opposition to allowing marijuana. In his comments at the start of the meeting, Giordano acknowledged council’s position fits with Ocean City’s established stance, compared to towns that have multiple bars but seek to shut out marijuana dispensaries. Both men asked for an exception for a medical marijuana dispensary.
“The one thing that I guess is different in Ocean City compared to other places that are trying to ban cannabis is that you have a history of keeping alcohol out, so you are consistent,” he said. “But I am here to say that you do have five pharmacies here. I would ask that in your resolution that you make it clear that you are open to at least the medical side.”
At a meeting earlier this year, council heard from Mayor Jay Gillian that he had asked city attorney Dottie McCrosson about the city’s options should New Jersey move forward with a bill allowing the possession, use, and regulated sale of marijuana for adults.
One bill, introduced by Sen. Nicholas Scutari, a Democrat representing New Jersey’s 22nd District, would allow those over 21 to possess as much as an ounce of marijuana, or its equivalent in edibles or concentrate, and establish a state agency for marijuana enforcement. It would also allow for heavily regulated and taxed retail sales, similar to what’s happened in other states, including Colorado. Opinions vary as to how likely the bill is to pass in Trenton, but Gov. Phil Murphy supports legalization and is expected to sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
Under the proposed bill, towns could opt out of allowing retail dispensaries in their jurisdiction, although that would mean they would also forgo the tax benefit.
Giordano said his union represents thousands of workers in the cannabis industry, which he said is now worth billions of dollars and provides solid employment with benefits.
“The cannabis industry is not a group of young kids who walk around and smoke marijuana all day,” he said. “These people are professionals. We look at it like a trade.”
Allowing medical marijuana dispensaries in town would be a good and safe way to benefit from the potential revenue, he said. It could also be important for visitors who need medicine.
Grimes, speaking next, emphasized the point. He said he was prescribed high doses of opioid-based painkillers, but medical marijuana allowed him to stop that. Grimes also cited individuals he said benefited from medical marijuana and some who were not able to get it and suffered for it.
Grimes had set up a cell phone to record the public comments, saying there were people watching who were not well enough to come to the meeting. He suggested the Jersey shore lacks medical marijuana dispensaries, while dangerous prescription painkillers are available in every town. Some have to drive for hours to reach the nearest dispensary, he said.
There are five dispensaries across the state under New Jersey’s medical marijuana law. Those with a state medical marijuana card and a recommendation from a doctor can purchase the drug there, although it remains entirely illegal under federal law. The dispensary nearest to Ocean City is the Compassionate Care Foundation in Egg Harbor Township, about 25 minutes from downtown.
Grimes suggested the city lacked compassion.
“I’m glad to be speaking to some Christians here tonight, because I’ve actually figured out the meaning of life. It’s to help other people. It’s to help the sick and the dying. And that’s what I do, I advocate for them,” he said.
Ocean City was founded as a Christian retreat, which is part of why alcohol sales have been banned since the town’s inception in 1879.
Dave Breeden, a local resident and longtime city employee, was the next speaker. He praised Giordano’s comments but criticized Grimes.
“I’d advise him that, if you’re trying to win over a town, maybe don’t criticize the town,” Breeden said. “Ocean City has a lot of compassion. Ocean City is a great place to live.”
“Not if you’re in a wheelchair,” responded Grimes.
“Ocean City’s a great place to live,” Breeden reiterated, turning to Grimes. Council President Pete Madden hit the gavel at that point, admonishing them to address comments to him rather than each other.
“Many towns will be chasing that dollar that comes from marijuana sales,” Breeden said. “Ocean City does not need to chase that dollar.”
He urged council to take any steps necessary to “keep that material” out of Ocean City.
Earlier this year, each member of City Council spoke against marijuana, stating that Ocean City would not want it in the town. Later in the March 8 meeting, Councilmen Michael DeVlieger and Bobby Barr each reiterated their opposition to legalizing marijuana or allowing dispensaries in Ocean City.
“Maybe I’ll state it more clearly. I’ll die before I vote for recreational marijuana in Ocean City,” DeVlieger said. “Medical’s a different story. If people have needs, they have needs. I don’t see why you could medically need to toke up on the beach or on the boardwalk or in a public place.”
He said he was not interested in what people do at home, but said he does not want the drug in public in Ocean City.
Barr also reiterated his opposition to dispensaries in town. Barr, who uses a wheelchair, made reference to Mayor Jay Gillian being wheelchair friendly in another comment earlier in the meeting, clearly a reference to Grimes’ comments about Ocean City.
If Scutari’s bill passes as introduced, legal marijuana would not be allowed to be smoked or consumed in public places, but it seems that there would be little Ocean City could do to keep residents and visitors from using it in private. Most rental properties and hotel rooms have a policy against smoking already, which would likely extend to marijuana, and McCrosson pointed out at a previous meeting that smoking is already banned on Ocean City’s boardwalk by ordinance.
To contact Bill Barlow, email bbarlow@cmcherald.com.