Where do you want Cannabis Dispenseries to be set up?
Notice of Town Board Meeting: October 11, 2022 (1pm):
A Continuation Public Hearing on Cannabis Dispensaries and On-Site Cannabis Consumption Establishments.
The final agenda for this meeting will be available the Friday prior to the meeting (10/7/22) on the Town Clerk’s Portal at the following link: http://southamptonny.iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx and this meeting will be held both in-person and via zoom.
For additional information, please contact the legislation sponsor, Supervisor Schneiderman (631-283-6055) or the Department of Land Management (631-702-1800).
The NCC received the following statement from Kym Laube, Executive Director, HUGS, Inc. She is a drug counselor addressing Southampton’s Decision to allow Cannabis Dispenseries.
In 2020 towns and villages throughout New York State were given the opportunity to opt-in or opt-out on whether or not they would allow cannabis retail dispensaries and/or consumption sites to exist within their boundaries. This was the first time local control coupled with the promise of direct revenue was offered. Should a town or village opt-in it could never reverse the decision and opt-out, however if they chose to opt-out they could in fact, opt-in at any time. Local control allowed for decisions around time, place and manner, however at the very time policymakers were asked to weigh in, the regulations from the Office of Cannabis Management were not yet established and even today remain in draft form. That’s right, those in power were asked to decide on a major policy change when the rules were not even written.
Cautiously, the vast majority of the towns in Suffolk County wisely chose to opt out of these types of businesses. Southampton, Riverhead, Brookhaven opted in by majority vote. In the case of Southampton, the Town Council at the time did not have enough votes to bring this decision to a public hearing, therefore by default opting in to cannabis retail and consumption sites. This was done quietly as many residents were unaware of the process and the power that lied within the Town Council.
As a substance misuse prevention agency focused on the health and wellness of our youth and communities, we implored Southampton to opt out and wait until the Office of Cannabis Management completed and adopted its guidelines. Unfortunately, the then council members made a bold decision with limited information to give the cannabis industry a larger footprint beyond the Shinnecock Nation. Now, the Town is left to decide where to go from here? They are quickly finding that they do not have as much control over the rollout of these businesses as they once thought and we are not surprised.
Many will cry, it’s just pot, we might as well make money on it. We know in states that have legalized the costs far outweigh the revenue. The rates of cannabis use increased among both youth and adults, property value decreased, calls to poison control significantly increased for the accidental ingestion of edibles, the age of first use decreased in youth, car crashes increased and the black market did not suffer one bit.
Those who had no monetary gain advocated against the Town's choice. Law enforcement leaders added their voice against this as there is no way to test for cannabis use behind the wheel. Parents who lost their children to suicide after periods of using high potency THC implored to us wait, and those on the front lines of fighting addiction expressed extreme concern about the most vulnerable populations they serve. This will impact us all and we had no vote.
Low perceived risk, easy access, parental apathy are the trifectas of early use among our youth. We must step up for them. The Town must be equally bold and set forth a sound plan to protect vulnerable populations with the little control they will have, and work with all stakeholders in the community to build protections where they have added risk. This can only be done together, with experts who stand to gain no revenue and not with just a few individuals behind closed doors.
What can we do now? On a personal level; mentor a kid, role model positive ways of coping with stress, socialize without substances, don’t normalize cannabis use, talk with your neighbors, and be clear on your personal/family policy for when friends visit- if you let them drink will you let them smoke pot on your property as well. On a civic level, get educated, join the conversation, sit and learn from experts, attend Southampton Town's Public Session on October 11, 2022, and lend your voice with a solution focus and sound suggestions on where the sale of cannabis and consumption sites should safely be allowed within Southampton Town.
HUGS, Inc. | Long Island Teen Institute: hugsinc.org
SAFE in Sag Harbor Coalition: safeinsagharbor.org
LI Addiction Resource Center: longislandaddictionresourcecenter.org
From Town Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara:
As you may know, NY has legalized recreational marijuana use, cultivation and sale in the state. Local municipalities were given the choice to opt-out of allowing marijuana dispensaries and consumption sites.
All of the incorporated villages within the Town of Southampton held public hearings and chose to opt-out.
Southampton Town did not. We are now tasked with putting zoning in place to dictate where they can and cannot be placed.
There will be a public hearing on Tuesday, July12th at 1PM at Southampton Town Hall as well as via Zoom to hear those for and against the proposed zoning which will govern where these sites are permitted.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Supervisor Schneiderman, as written, would allow dispensaries in every Village Business district in every hamlet in the Town of Southampton. Downtown Hampton Bays, Main Street in East Quogue, Riverside, Speonk, Bridgehampton, Water Mill, North Sea… you all have allowable locations under the proposed legislation.
I want to make sure that everyone both for and against are heard on this very important matter. Please come and speak on July 12th or send your written comments to townclerk@southamptontownny.gov