With the deadline nearing for municipalities in New Jersey to opt-out of allowing marijuana businesses, it’s estimated that about 50 percent will say no to allow retail shops, and warehousing and manufacturing facilities. As stipulated by the state’s legalization law, any locality can opt-out—while also forfeiting a share of potential tax revenue generated by marijuana sales. Many city officials say such businesses will adversely affect children; others are taking a wait-and-see approach (towns can later decide to opt-in), or want to first see the full slate of state regulations, which have not yet been announced. In Bergen County, 10 contiguous towns jointly banned cannabis stores, because they’d be located near residential neighborhoods and public places frequented by children. However, big cities including Newark and Atlantic City said yes, and also imposed their own rules. It’s a pattern familiar across the country: states approve marijuana legalization, based on broad popular support, but fail to recognize that pot is apparently not wanted on the local level.
Meanwhile, opting to wait-and-see may be a good idea, judging by the results of a study in California on compliance with state regulations concerning marijuana shops. Researchers from UCLA and UC San Diegofound that nearly 68 percent of facilities failed to comply with laws requiring age-limit outdoor signage, and only 12 percent checked ID before entry. This exposed young people to products designed to appeal to children, promote purported marijuana health benefits, and offer free samples and first-time purchase discounts.
And finally, more than half of teenagers who use e-cigarettes want to stop and about two-thirds have already tried to quit vaping, according to a survey of high school and middle school students. Providing new insights into the ongoing teen vaping epidemic, the survey noted that teens that wanted to quit tried an average of five times during the past year. And those who vaped Juul or other pod products—rather than a disposable e-cigarette—reported fewer attempts to give up the habit, due in part to the product’s sleek design, extensive marketing, and flavors, the report concluded.