For medical marijuana patients in Ocean County, the proposal to open a dispensary in Brick Township is seen as a God-send: a facility that won't require them to drive three hours roundtrip to get the medication that relieves their conditions.
For neighbors of the proposed Adamston Road site for Jersey Shore Therapeutic Health Care, it is a nightmare in the making, a lure for dangerous violent criminals.
"It's not about being against medical marijuana," said Michael Doumas, whose home is across the street from the site at 385 Adamston Road, which until two years ago had been a bank dating back to 1978. "Our hearts bleed for those who need this product."
"I'm worried because it's cash business. I'm worried that people will use it as an opportunity to rob the place," said Diana Diaz, another neighbor who spoke out at the meeting at the Brick Township municipal building Tuesday night. "All it takes is one incident to change a lifetime for a family.