Greenburgh Town Board Votes to Allow Cannabis Dispensaries
The Greenburgh Town Board voted last week to allow cannabis dispensaries in designated areas in town but decided to opt-out of permitting lounges.
Supervisor Paul Feiner cast the only dissenting vote against the dispensaries, saying he preferred to proceed cautiously and observe how other municipalities in Westchester handled the rules and regulations from the state surrounding dispensaries.
“I believe there is inadequate information available for the Town Board to make a prudent decision regarding allowing dispensaries to operate,” Feiner stated. “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.”
Feiner referenced comments Police Chief George Longworth made during a Dec. 8 public hearing about “public safety concerns” law enforcement had with being unable to detect marijuana use at the scene of vehicular accidents.
“I don’t want to risk public safety. That’s my major concern,” Feiner said. “I won’t do anything that could possibly cost a life. To me, it’s not worth it.”
Councilman Francis Sheehan maintained allowing dispensaries would enable residents who use marijuana to have a higher quality product.
“There will be marijuana in the Town of Greenburgh. There’s nothing we can do to stop that,” Sheehan said. “I think we can handle this.”
The board stipulated any dispensaries should not be located in residential zones or mixed-use corridors, such as East Hartsdale Avenue, Route 119 or Central Avenue. Any revenue the town receives from adult use cannabis retail dispensaries will be earmarked to offset the cost of social services provided by the town, including drug treatment programs.
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