The Village of Lindenhurst will hold a public hearing Tuesday on a proposed local law to prohibit recreational marijuana retail and consumption sites but plans to still poll residents on the matter next year.
Under state law, a municipality cannot prohibit residents 21 years and older from consuming or growing marijuana but can opt out or regulate retail sales and consumption sites. If opting out, a municipality must pass a law by Dec. 31 stating its intention to do so. Opt-out laws can be overturned through a public referendum and a municipality that opts out can opt in at a later date.
Mayor Mike Lavorata said he prefers banning the sites for now.
“If we would opt in and it becomes a headache for us, we can’t get out,” he said.
There will be a 13% tax on an estimated $350 million in annual retail sales of recreational marijuana in the state, of which local municipalities get 3%. Lavorata said he estimates the village would get about $30,000, which he said is not worth the potential harm of having the sites, which he said could impact the quality of life of residents.
The other village boards in the town, Babylon and Amityville, have passed opt-out laws. However, Babylon Town will be…
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The Village of Lindenhurst will hold a public hearing Tuesday on a proposed local law to prohibit recreational marijuana retail and consumption sites but plans to still poll residents on the matter next year.
Under state law, a municipality cannot prohibit residents 21 years and older from consuming or growing marijuana but can opt out or regulate retail sales and consumption sites. If opting out, a municipality must pass a law by Dec. 31 stating its intention to do so. Opt-out laws can be overturned through a public referendum and a municipality that opts out can opt in at a later date.
Mayor Mike Lavorata said he prefers banning the sites for now.
“If we would opt in and it becomes a headache for us, we can’t get out,” he said.
There will be a 13% tax on an estimated $350 million in annual retail sales of recreational marijuana in the state, of which local municipalities get 3%. Lavorata said he estimates the village would get about $30,000, which he said is not worth the potential harm of having the sites, which he said could impact the quality of life of residents.
The other village boards in the town, Babylon and Amityville, have passed opt-out laws. However, Babylon Town will be…
