The first recreational marijuana retailer in Mount Laurel — daylite cannabis on Route 73 — expects to open by Labor Day weekend.
Daylite cannabis received approval for its annual retail license on June 1 from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission and its owner, Steve Cassidy, told 70and73.com in an interview that he expected to open by the end of June.
But the business' plans came to a screeching halt in June when Mount Laurel Township and its Police Department told Cassidy they did not approve of his security plan and that an armed security guard would be required.
At the time, there was no mention of the need for security guards in the Township cannabis ordinance.
The Township's pronouncement put daylite's opening on hold and prompted Township Council to amend its cannabis ordinance to note that the Police Department may require a license holder to "hire and maintain armed security to protect the visitors and employees."Â Township Council even threatened to pull its regulatory commission endorsement of daylite if it did not comply.Â
"We are targeting to be open by Labor Day weekend," Cassidy confirmed in an emailed statement to 70and73.com. "There are a few more credentialing steps with the CRC, so I cannot give an exact date at this time."
Cassidy confirmed that his business will have armed security. He said modifications also have been made in the operation of the cannabis store.
Daylite cannabis, 1136 Route 73, is on the southbound side just before the Church Road intersection.
Security concerns about the industry rise largely from both the control of the cannabis inventory at stores and the presence of cash in retail operations that do not take most credit cards because of federal laws prohibiting recreational marijuana sales.
"While the changes do come at a cost, having added security measures and processes is never a bad thing," he stated in his email. "If it enhances the safety of our business, including that of our staff and the community, then we consider it a worthwhile expense."
Mount Laurel and its Police Department's rules for armed security, which can consist of off-duty police officers, may be unique in the 70and73.com area. In North Jersey, Newark and East Orange require armed security.
"All cannabis establishments must have armed security guards or off-duty police officer(s) at every entrance and exit point of its facility, except locked emergency doors and/or fire doors," according to the Newark law.
The state cannabis law does not address security guards, armed or otherwise, but focuses on alarm and surveillance systems. The law does discuss an assessment of "adequate security," which can be influenced by the geographic location of the business.
Capt. William Baskay of the Mount Laurel Police Department has told 70and73.com that break-ins or robberies are "definitely a concern" in Mount Laurel.
At least three cannabis retailers want to operate on busy Route 73 in Mount Laurel, including one immediately next door to daylite cannabis and one a few hundred feet away, in the former Sage Diner.
Baskay explained that his department considers many factors when it recommends a security plan, including the location of the store. The Route 73 corridor through town is known to be an accident and crime area, he said.
Other 70and73.com cannabis coverage
- Cannabis stores? 'We don't need it in Cherry Hill,' some residents say at Council's public forum.
- Recreational marijuana: How Cherry Hill is moving slowly before making any decision to allow sales.
- How Mount Laurel plans to require security measures at recreational marijuana shops in town.
- Mount Laurel Council may put town's first cannabis retailer out of business before its doors open.
- Recreational marijuana? Sweetspot, selling cannabis products, officially opens in Voorhees.
- Daylite cannabis store to open soon, as the 'darkness' of marijuana use begins to lift.
