It is difficult to discern if “Southampton Set To Welcome First Legal Cannabis Dispensaries After Site Plan Approvals” [27east.com, August 6] is an article or a press release for the marijuana industry.
The reporter does not mention that there are several pre-existing pot shops on Shinnecock Territory fronting Montauk Highway, which I believe number seven or so, which would then actually mean that we will now have more than 10 cannabis stores between St. Andrews Road and Bridgehampton.
It is next stated that the shops will have a “distinctly Hamptons feel,” without explaining what that means. The stores are then described as being “relaxed” and “sophisticated” and “European” and “high end” … with their being even being welcomed by the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary.
Why were not local medical professionals interviewed in regard to the side effects of recreational drug use? Why were not our police officers or school principals or faith leaders or employees and residents of the several East End drug treatment facilities not asked to comment?
Why wasn’t a map included with the article showing the proximity of these stores to daycare centers and schools and houses of worship and the Stony Brook University Marine Station and children’s camps? And why did not the reporter investigate the numbers of local DUI car crashes and drug overdoses as a part of the article?
The publishers and editors owe an apology to this community, and especially to its families and children, for such sloppy and biased reporting — and when you next issue “dunce caps,” perhaps give one to yourselves first for such an irresponsible article.
Walter Deane
Southampton
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