Opposition to cannabis shop on Riverdale Avenue

To the editor,

I was shocked to learn that a cannabis shop has been proposed for 5694 Riverdale Ave. in the Bronx, one block away from St. Margaret’s-St. Gabriel’s school which has classes from K-8 and less than a block from Salanter Akiba Riverdale High School. The potential damage to these kids is unthinkable and the shop’s opening should be prevented.

As a lifelong Bronx resident, I had many friends and acquaintances who smoked pot, without apparent harm. In fact, I believed that pot was less dangerous than alcohol. While I knew and heard of people who would become very belligerent and violent after a few drinks, I never saw anyone become that way after smoking a joint or two. However, I have since learned that the marijuana sold today is significantly stronger and more dangerous than the marijuana of the 60’s and now believe that it never should have been legalized. While that horse is out of the barn, we should at least try to limit the damage to young people by limiting its availability to them and not allow pot shops close to schools.

I commend to your attention a June 2025 article in “Monitor on Psychology,” a publication of the American Psychological Association, titled: “The Changing Marijuana Landscape: What You Need To Know.” You should really read the whole article before objectively evaluating the damage cannabis can do to young people and deciding whether pot shops should be very close to schools.

If you agree that making access to cannabis convenient for kids is a bad idea, write or call your representatives to oppose the cannabis shop proposed for Riverdale Avenue.

KEVIN O’REILLY

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