Nichelle Pace knows the committee she leads has a significant, and not terribly easy, task in front of it.
"We have our work cut out for us to put together equitable recommendations for licensing, community benefits, citizens re-entering after incarceration, youth prevention and education... the whole nine yards," said Pace, who chairs the Camden Cannabis Committee.
The committee, formed by a May 11 City Council resolution, is tasked with bringing together representatives from the city's business, economic development, educational. community and social justice realms to "ensure Camden takes a 'Camden First' community approach to the state's emerging cannabis industry."
Pace, vice president of the Camden Business Association, is joined on the committee by Sheilah Greene of Parkside Business and Community in Partnership (PBCIP), Tameeka Mason of One Camden, Maritza Alson of the IRS, Capt. Vivian Coley of the Camden County Police Department, Dwaine Williams (Camden's Affirmative Action officer) and others.
The committee will host its first community town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Urban Banquet Hall, 1999 Federal St.