Will a marijuana retail shop open on Route 17 in Mahwah? A vote is set for Thursday

Marsha A. Stoltz, NorthJersey.com
·3 min read

MAHWAH — An ordinance that would allow a retail cannabis store to operate on Route 17 north failed to secure Township Council approval at a hearing Monday.

A vote was postponed until Thursday on Ordinance 1956. It would rezone the former gas station property at 231 Route 17 north — just south of the West Ramapo Avenue exit — to allow retail sales of marijuana products to adults age 21 and older.

If approved, the ordinance would rezone only one property for cannabis retail sales. The owner — listed as ADPP Enterprises — would still have to apply to the township's Planning Board for approval.

However, Township attorney Sue Sharpe cautioned that once approved, the property would be "grandfathered," or protected against future bans on marijuana retail sales.

The exit provides access to Ridge Road on the west side of the highway where four of the township's six public schools are located. Its high school would be a half-mile drive from the site.

Deborah Desocio of Beehive Court objected to the location of a retail cannabis operation near her residential street, which backs up to commercial properties on Route 17.
Deborah Desocio of Beehive Court objected to the location of a retail cannabis operation near her residential street, which backs up to commercial properties on Route 17.

Of the 24 residents who spoke at the in-person hearing, 20 opposed a store at that location. While many conceded they had no objection to personal marijuana use, residents said they did not want a store on a major highway so close to their schools.

"I am totally against this," said resident Dr. Yong Wen, chief of internal medicine at Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh, New York. "There are plenty of medical dispensaries. Let them go there and get it."

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Two residents of Beehive Court objected to cannabis sales at a property backing onto their residential neighborhood.

"It's a slippery slope," said Deborah Desocio. "It would be in my backyard."

Police Chief Stephen Jaffe said his concern was traffic safety, citing the present dangers to crossing guards helping students across the overpass, and the site's entrance just before the exit ramp.

"I'm not against retail sales, but not at this particular spot," Jaffe said.

Mahwah's Ordinance 1956 would rezone property at 231 Route 17 North (outlined in red) to allow marijuana retail sales just south of the West Ramapo Avenue overpass. The overpass leads to four of the township's six public schools, including Mahwah High School (lower left) a half-mile drive away.
Mahwah's Ordinance 1956 would rezone property at 231 Route 17 North (outlined in red) to allow marijuana retail sales just south of the West Ramapo Avenue overpass. The overpass leads to four of the township's six public schools, including Mahwah High School (lower left) a half-mile drive away.

Jaffe argued that locating a retail store on a six-lane highway would encourage drug use by motorists.

"People are going to drive there under the influence," Jaffe said. "There's nothing to stop them from popping an edible as they leave the driveway. And right now, there is no breathalyzer test for marijuana. No one can say right now how this will be enforced."

Legal weed in NJ

Legalization was approved by New Jersey residents by a two-thirds referendum vote in November 2020.

Towns throughout the state had until Aug. 21 to adopt ordinances regulating marijuana sales or accept them by default. The deadline was set for 180 days after Gov. Phil Murphy signed a series of bills legalizing the industry, to allow municipal officials time to research their options and adopt ordinances.

Towns that banned any of the category of cannabis business could adjust ordinances at any time to permit such businesses.

Mahwah Police Chief Stephen Jaffe raised questions about pedestrian and driver safety around the proposed cannabis retail site on Route 17 north.
Mahwah Police Chief Stephen Jaffe raised questions about pedestrian and driver safety around the proposed cannabis retail site on Route 17 north.

Many towns enacted bans, but one enticement for those that did not was the ability to levy additional 1% or 2% taxes on some transactions.

In Mahwah, the Township Council opted out and prohibited all classes of cannabis at their July 8 meeting.

The state will begin accepting applications for marijuana retail shops on March 15.

Marsha Stoltz is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: stoltz@northjersey.com

Twitter: @marsha_stoltz

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Mahwah NJ: Marijuana store on Route 17 up for vote