This letter is in response to the Teaneck Republican Municipal Committee Statement on Cannabis (“Teaneck Republican Municipal Committee Statement on Cannabis” March 9, 2023):

There are valid reasons that some may be in favor and some may oppose having a cannabis establishment where they reside; however, the reasoning provided in this statement harkens back to the 1936 propaganda antidrug film, “Reefer Madness,” which was ludicrous then and so much so, now.

Your stand will alienate tons of people and hurt the Republican Party, given that around nine in 10 Americans favor some form of marijuana legalization, according to an April 2021 Pew Research Center survey. An overwhelming majority of U.S. adults (91%) say either that marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use (60%) or that it should be legal for medical use only (31%). Just 8% say the drug should not be legal in any form.

Furthermore, your negative economic/financial fear mongering is silly as well, and actually borders on dishonest, as there is a huge difference between illegal street retailers and those business people who will be operating retail, licensed stores. Your statement is nothing but an attempt to create fear and is below you and the GOP.

Campaign all you want against the store but please be honest and forthright.