Retail marijuana stores will soon be opening in Delaware, but Newark officials appear to be balking at allowing one in the heart of the college town.
Delaware is expected to begin issuing the first wave of up to 30 licenses for recreational marijuana sales within the next year, and some cities, especially the beach towns, have balked, and some of Newark’s leaders were hedging their positions.
Some weren’t including Councilwoman Dwendolyn Creecy, council’s only Black member, who said she was in complete support of opening growing, manufacturing, and retail sites in Newark.
“I have had more than one person in my family who has been cured or help by the use of marijuana oil and leaf.”
On the opposite side of the fence is Councilwoman Corinth Ford who said
“I don’t want it in Newark, period.”
Ford pointed out the success of Fresh Cannabis on Ogletown Road, which is authorized as a medical marijuana dispensary, and also grows its own product.
“We already have a medical marijuana facility, that’s fine with me, that’s well-controlled, there’s been no problem with it. But I’m absolutely against any retail establishments within our city limits. If they have to go elsewhere, let them go elsewhere.”
Other members of the panel took more nuanced stances, although there was a consensus that opening a store in the heavily-trafficked Main Street corridor was off the table.
“I do agree that it shouldn’t be on anything we name Main Street or Delaware Avenue,” Mayor Jerry Clifton said.
Councilman Jason Lawhorn suggested that retail locations could be acceptable in an industrial plaza setting, and like others, he was in favor of production facilities being housed in the city.
Councilman Travis McDermott said he was concerned about the effects of second-hand marijuana smoke lingering in the air.
“It’s great that it’s not illegal anymore, and we’ve eliminated a lot of those hurdles, but I don’t want to walk down the street and smell marijuana.”
Councilman John Suchanec seconded sentiment about the smell.
“I just don’t think in this town, right now with the potential for the number of marijuana smokers, I would be a hard no to any licensing within the city limits.”
Suchanec did offer up a brainstorm that he would allow consider weakening his stance if the University of Delaware grew its own product educationally, and then provided it to fire station AETNA for sale, in an attempt to raise money for the financially-struggling fire department, but thought that would be a tough sell.
Council was told by Lauren Vella, Chief of Staff to University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis that UD isn’t likely to be more tolerant to indoor pot use, at least in the short term.
“It is not allowed in dorms, currently. We have not made any plans to change that, and I can keep you posted if anything happens, but it is not permitted.
No decisions were made by council on Monday, other than to have city staff come back with potential regulation options, but Creecy told her fellow Council members that even if there’s a ban, it won’t stop marijuana out of Newark.
“We’re trying to legalize it, but it’s already happening right under our noses and in our faces. This is a way where people can actually make money and bring money to the city.”
Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, Ocean View, and Rehoboth Beach have already issued marijuana bans, while Middletown elected to ban retail businesses.
Dover, Lewes, and Seaford are among Delaware communities considering how they want to handle restrictions, but aren’t immediately looking at banning sales entirely.
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