23 Communities Say No–21 Say Yes to Legal Pot Stores -Shops -Smoking Lounges
The Town of Harrison voted NO at their meeting on Dec. 16 to permitting Marijuna Cafes and Dispensaries in their community. This is good news for many Harrison residents who did not want their children and students walking past a cafe or store that sells marijuana, once the details are figured out by the NY State Office of Cannabis management. Earlier this year, republicans and democrats in Harrison were opposed to legal pot stores, so the vote comes as no surprise, but the Town Board and outgoing Mayor Ron Belmont did wait until the last minute to do so. Local communities have until Dec. 31 to opt out; after that if your town, village or city hasn’t opted out they have in essence Opted-in to permitting marijuana on main street.
Harrison becomes the 23 Westchester community to Opt-Out, with 25 communities either opting in for dispensaries or cafes, or not voting, which means Opt-in.
On Dec. 14, the Greenburgh Town Board split their vote on legal cannabis. The Town Board voted 4-1 to permit cannabis dispensiaries, but No to Cannnabis lounges. Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner voted no on both matters and email the community explaining what happened. “The Greenburgh Town Board voted 4-1 to allow cannabis dispensaries to be located in Greenburgh. I voted no. The Board also agreed not to allow Cannabis lounges in the town (we all agreed) and directed the Commissioner of Planning to draft a local law regulating time, place and manner associated with adult-use recreational cannabis dispensaries, utilizing the following guiding principles: 1. Dispensaries shall not be permitted in any residential zones or mixed-use corridors (East Hartsdale Avenue, Rt. 119, Central Avenue, etc.) immediately and/or significantly abutting residential zoning districts 2. Minimum linear separation distances be required from schools, playgrounds, public parks, etc. The 2nd resolution requiring the Commissioner of Planning to draft a local law was approved unanimously.
“On December 8th members of the Town Board received a letter from the Greenburgh Council of Civic Associations . The organization, representing civic associations in Greenburgh polled their membership and recommended “opting out, at least for the present time. Several representatives suggested awaiting regulations from the Cannabis Control Board and then adopting the necessary Greenburgh Zoning legislation regarding the time, place and manner of locating such establishments in unincorporated Greenburgh before a decision is made to “Opt In at a later date.” I agree with the Council And that is why I voted no. Municipalities that opt out can later opt in.
NYS is moving cautiously with the roll out of guidelines for marijuana dispensaries for what clearly are myriad social, fiscal and regulatory reasons. I believe there is inadequate information available for the Town Board to make a prudent decision regarding allowing dispensaries to operate. I suggested that until adequate info is available we should opt out. If in the future the obstacles and issues regarding such dispensaries are addressed Greenburgh could have comfortably revisited the matter and with the input of our community organizations and their leadership the Town Board could more intelligently decide if we should participate,” writes Feiner.
In the Town of Greenburgh, some of the villages have opted in, while others have opted out. Tarrytown and Hastings have opted In, while Ardsley, Elmsford, Dobbs Ferry and Irvington have opted out.
In total, about one-third of all communities in NY State have Opted-Out.
