Marijuana stores are vastly different from the existing businesses in Camden. No other shop must prohibit kids from entering. No other shop is required to be kept at a distance from schools. No other shop sells a product that is illegal on the federal level. We don’t have any gun shops, strip clubs, liquor stores, gambling halls or even Dunkin’ Donuts in Camden. We are a quaint, family-friendly village that is consistently voted one of the best places in the nation to visit as well as live and raise a family.

Articles 3 and 4 are zoning questions. The ordinance change would allow two recreational marijuana stores in Camden and the spots would be open for anyone to apply for. It is not guaranteed that the “local” who proposed the ordinance would even get one of the spots, it could be a nationwide chain store. Articles 3 & 4 are not concerning whether you are for or against marijuana use, they are for changing the precedent Camden has set for as long as it has existed - that new retail businesses must fit the character of the existing business.

I urge you to really consider what the passing of Articles 3 and 4 could mean for your kids, your business, and the direction our town is headed. Once you’ve done the research, I hope you’ll join me in voting “NO” to cannabis retail shops in Camden on June 13.

Kristen Smith lives in Camden