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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From the Rosedale Residential Association. October 11, 2021:
| Are Marijuana Dispensaries coming to White Plains? We don’t know and the residents have not been asked. |
| 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. The meeting will be in person at the White Plains Board of Education. Safety Commissioner Chong unfortunately is not able to attend, but we are hoping that some Common Council members will be in attendance. Since we will not have a special guest, we will not be using Zoom, thus we hope that you can attend in person 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. |