Greetings RRA Neighbors,
Are Marijuana Dispensaries coming to White Plains? We don’t know and the residents have not been asked.
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In March of 2021, Governor Cuomo and the NY State legislature approved legislation to legalize marijuana for anyone 21 years or older, but municipalities can opt-out of allowing cannabis retail dispensaries and/or on-site consumption licenses (cannabis lounges) from within their borders before the December 31, 2021 deadline. If a municipality does NOT opt-out by 12/31, it CAN NOT opt-out in the future, but if a municipality DOES OPT-OUT before 12/31, it CAN always opt back in at a later date by repealing the local law.
This will be the major topic of discussion as well as Ladder 34 at the next CNA Meeting on Tuesday 10/12 at 7pm. Safety Commissioner Chong will be the special guest and we are hoping that some Common Council members will attend. The Zoom link is below for anyone who wants to listen to the discussion. The sound should be better this time around as we will be in a smaller room at the White Plains Board of Education. Only those that are present in person will be able to actively participate in the discussion.
Whatever your opinion is on the issue, marijuana dispensaries/cafes have the potential to change the character of the city. Whether you are in favor of or against marijuana dispensaries/cafes, this is a discussion that the city should be facilitating so that residents can provide input. To date, Mayor Roach and the Common Council have not taken a public position, nor have they held public meetings to debate the issue. Eleven Westchester towns have already opted-out, and five more are in the process of holding public town meetings.
Westchester towns that have opted-out:
Eastchester
North Salem
Yorktown
Lewisboro
Larchmont
Bronxville
Ardsley
Rye Brook
Somers
North Castle
Mt. Kisco
Towns considering opting-out:
Harrison
Rye
Mamaroneck
Scarsdale
Dobbs Ferry
Please email our elected officials and ask them to provide the residents with information on the potential impacts on our city and request public forums before the above deadline.
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