LET’S FOCUS ON FACTS REGARDING CANNABIS COMING TO CLAYTON – OP-ED
Let’s Focus on Facts Regarding Cannabis Coming to Clayton
By Timothy D. Scaffidi, Esq., Attorney for the Borough of Clayton
Published Sentinel of Gloucester County Newspaper 9/13/2018 Print Edition
As many Clayton residents are aware, there is potential that a legal, licensed medical cannabis cultivation and processing facility will be located in the Clayton Industrial Park on Cenco Boulevard which Clayton has been aiming to develop for more than a decade. It would bring full-time jobs with benefits, tax revenue and the support of local charities, all stimulating Clayton’s economy. After much due diligence, Mayor and Council support this project because they believe it is in the best interest of the Clayton community and its residents, a decision they came to based on factual evidence, research, and studies demonstrating the benefits of cannabis for thousands of patients who are suffering from debilitating illnesses and the positive impact of the industry overall.
A few facts regarding this project and the business that will own and operate the facility:
- This would be a cultivating and processing facility only, not a retail distribution / dispensary location.
- The location of the proposed facility on Cenco Boulevard is zoned for industrial use and is a permitted use.
- This will bring 150 full-time jobs with good wages and benefits to the Clayton community. The average income in Clayton is currently about $28,000. Many of these new positions will be upward of $36,000 per year with some paying as much as $50,000 annually with potential for promotion and growth.
- The operating company, Green Thumb Industries (GTI), has a long history of supporting and employing veterans, and has pledged to work with Camp Salute residents on employment opportunities as well as an overall hiring preference for Clayton residents. Further, GTI is known as an industry leader in terms of compliance, security, community engagement and as an employer, having won a Top Workplaces Award by the business publication Crain’s based on employee feedback, wages, benefits and company culture.
- Mayor Alex Morse of Holyoke, Mass., where a similar GTI facility is located, noted the following about GTI in a public letter of reference dated August 21, 2018: “The company and its representatives built partnerships with local business owners, neighborhood associations, elected officials, and non-profit organizations. Throughout their permitting process, GTI continuously exceeded their regulatory requirements. They held additional neighborhood meetings beyond what was required in order to get to know the local community and its residents … In short, GTI has been a credible, capable partner and employer in the city of Holyoke. I have no doubt they will act in this same spirit in any community throughout the state of New Jersey.”
- These indoor cultivation and processing facilities are not associated with an aroma that will in any way impact residents or home values. In fact, communities that have welcomed the cannabis industry have seen an increase in property values, not a decrease. These cultivation facilities also utilize a sophisticated HVAC system to avoid any issues related to odor.
Unfortunately, false and unsubstantiated claims regarding the project and the business and people involved have been circulating in the community. The Borough is in favor of public discourse, debate and transparency, and in that spirit will discuss this project at its Clayton Borough Council Meeting to be held on Thursday, September 13 at 7:00 pm to discuss concerns and opinions with all interested parties. Due to an expected increase in attendance, the public meeting will be held in the Performing Arts Auditorium at the Clayton High School. We look forward to working together as a community to do what’s best for the Borough’s future.