Montclair NJ’s Fourth Ward residents have voiced concerns about a storefront in their district that primarily sells smoking paraphernalia. The store is located directly across the street from a school-bus stop and within walking distance of Nishuane School.

According to Baskerville, municipal code Chapter 170-6  states: “No person shall advertise, display, sell or offer to sell any type of syringe, needle, eye dropper, spoon, pipe, testing kit, rolling paper or other paraphernalia or appliances designed for or ordinarily used in smoking, testing, weighing, measuring, injecting, cooking or sniffing marijuana, cocaine, opium, hashish or other controlled dangerous substances as defined by N.J.S.A 24:21-1 et seq.”

Lt. Wil Young of the Montclair Police Department stressed that the items for sale at the shop are not illegal and that without drugs, such as marijuana, they are not considered paraphernalia. From speaking with Township Attorney Ira Karasick, Baskerville said that it would be difficult to pursue the matter given that the items can be used for smoking tobacco.  Councilwoman Baskerville say  stickers stating “Stoned by Nature” displayed in the store.