Debate Over Cannabis Ordinance Continues In Parsippany

PARSIPPANY, NJ — It became legal to apply to open a cannabis business in Parsippany nearly two years ago, with the caveat that there are many restrictions.

Last month, a resident came forward and asked the council to consider amending the current cannabis ordinance to allow for a dispensary.

Last week, another township resident joined the recent discussion about amending the township's current cannabis ordinance, arguing against the potential change.

A local resident, Bob Venezia, spoke before the council, reminding them and the public that when the council approved the initial amendment in 2021 to allow for cannabis wholesaler and distributor licenses, they came to a compromise to oppose potential dispensaries.

Under the amended order, cannabis wholesalers can obtain and sell cannabis items for later resale to licensees, while distributors transport items in bulk throughout New Jersey.

Parsippany currently allows businesses only within certain zones, all of which are at least 1,000 feet from school properties and 500 feet from public facilities and homes. Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The businesses must operate in enclosed buildings with no outdoor storage and cannabis products are not permitted to be visible in any public place.

Cassara Grasso, a local business owner, previously petitioned the council to consider adding allowances for retail dispensaries, a change that Councilman Justin Musella spoke in favor of.

Musella said it was important to keep businesses in the township and to look into alternative revenue streams for it.

"At the last council meeting, four entrepreneurs presented what I consider to be a weak case for revisiting the ordinance to allow retail cannabis businesses to operate in the township. Almost nothing was said about the benefits of purely recreational cannabis," Venezia said.

Grasso stated in her petition that an amendment would allow the township to increase its revenue. For example, the township would receive 2 percent of the proceeds from each sale made by the future dispensary.

Venezia claims that a simple monetary gain is not enough to outweigh the potential dangers that come with recreational dispensaries.

"The applicants estimated that their proposed business would generate $160,000 per year in tax revenue for Parsippany, but there was no mention of possible offsetting expenses if, for example, police oversight was required to monitor the business," Venezia said.

Venezia also expressed concern that a potential amendment to the ordinance would allow for the establishment of on-premise consumption businesses, such as cannabis-friendly coffee shops or bars.

"Intentionally or unintentionally, I expect that a significant percentage of patrons returning home from an establishment such as this will be driving impaired. The extra revenues are just not worth the risk to the safety of Parsippany residents. There is absolutely no urgency for the council to amend the existing cannabis ordinance at this time," Venezia said.

The only council member to speak on the topic last week was Council Vice President Michael dePierro, who spoke against the amendment.

dePierro stated in his comment that pharmacies are currently not permitted to sell medical cannabis because drugs sold in pharmacies must be FDA-approved. As of right now, the FDA has not approved any other cannabis, cannabis-derived, or cannabidiol (CBD) products currently available on the market, according to the FDA website.

"Any pharmacy can do this in the future if it's not a federal crime. I think we will get to that point before we have to worry about opening dispensaries in Parsippany or any place else nearby; hopefully, it will take place that way," dePierro said.