Despite previously passing Oakland, NJ Councilman John McCann (R) is pushing for the repeal of the town’s recently approved cannabis zoning ordinance.
McCann outlandishly badgered his fellow council members over the difference of indica vs. sativa, but he got it wrong!
Luckily, not everyone agrees with his proposal or his whacky rationale. Much of the Oakland council, including Mayor Linda Schwager (D), supports the already approved cannabis ordinance.
However, despite the support of Mayor Schwager, other council members, due diligence by the town subcommittee, and a significant portion of the Oakland community, McCann has made some misleading statements about the substance.
Oakland is in Bergen County.
Cannabis in Oakland, NJ
A prospective local business, Kusala Care, has a petition online at Change.org. They aim to raise awareness and support for the cannabis ordinance and highlight the challenges they’ve experienced.
Kusala Care, a small family-owned business, has met all state and local regulatory codes.
In the petition, Justin Lee, 50% Founder Of Kusala Care, writes the following:
“GEORGE AND I, ALONG WITH OUR FAMILIES, HAVE ALREADY INVESTED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THIS PROJECT, INCLUDING 4 MONTHS OF RENT TOWARDS A WAREHOUSE IN OAKLAND THAT THE TOWN REFUSES TO ALLOW US TO PROGRESS WITH. WE WILL LOSE ALL OF THIS MONEY AND TIME INVESTED, ALONG WITH A CHANCE TO ENTER THE LEGAL ADULT-USE MARKET IN A TIMELY MANNER, IF OAKLAND CONTINUES TO DELAY OUR APPLICATION PROCESS.”
Sixty-seven percent of Oakland residents are in favor of adult-use cannabis businesses forming in the town.
The Oakland pot ordinance was approved on December 20, 2021. It requires cannabis businesses give 2% of their gross revenue back to the town.
It’s not just Oakland. Many towns in New Jersey are playing games and continuing to show signs of Reefer Madness of the old days.
Despite the public and council support for the current ordinance, Councilman McCann has made many controversial statements about pot.
“Sativa vs. Indigo?”
McCann badgered his fellow council members, asking about the difference between “indigo and sativa.” Obviously, he meant indica vs sativa. However, no one corrected him, and he went on with this misstatement for over 15 minutes.
Councilman John McCann made it clear that it is harmful to breastfeeding mothers. Of course, while it may be, there are many other substances that women are advised to avoid during pregnancy that are also harmful to breastfeeding mothers and not banned, and (gasp) even available in Oakland, New Jersey.
Fortunately, we can observe and capture McCann’s statements on recording on YouTube. At one point, McCann even adamantly declares that cannabis has absolutely no medical value and no public good whatsoever,
The shocking video clearly shows McCann’s opposition based on his mischaracterizations, falsehoods, and invalid information regarding cannabis use.
WATCH MCCANN ON VIDEO: TOWN COUNCILMAN GOES WILD!
As the debate over the weed rules in Oakland continues, it will be interesting to see if the views of Councilman McCann and the Oakland community voters can align or if they will come to a head in the near future.
Misinformation regarding weed is alive and well. “Reefer madness” is still here in New Jersey.
The Oakland cannabis business information can be found on their official website. The town is allowing a max of 10 licensed legal New Jersey cannabis companies that are not dispensaries. Like many towns, the cannabis zoning area is small. They can only be in the industrial zone.