After concluding his 16th and final year as the elected Cayuga County treasurer, James Orman will be taking what he calls a "pre-arranged retirement vacation" in a couple of weeks.
As the Dec. 31 deadline approaches for municipalities to "opt out" of parts of New York state s new marijuana law, several in the Cayuga County area are choosing to do
Municipalities in the Cayuga County area are weighing the pros and cons of opting out of parts of New York state s law legalizing marijuana.
The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo March 31, legalizes possession of up to 3 ounces of the drug, and public and private use of it, by New Yorkers 21 and older.
Municipalities cannot opt out of that part of the law, which has already taken effect. However, the law allows them to opt out of letting cannabis retail dispensaries open, or on-site consumption licenses be issued, within their limits. Municipalities that decide to opt out must pass a local law by Dec. 31. Retail marijuana sales in New York state are slated to begin on April 1, 2022.
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What direction should municipalities go on recreational marijuana?
The fact that New York State legalized it does not take the local decision-making out of the process. In fact, the law enhances it, because local municipalities have the right under the law to opt-out of allowing dispensaries from opening up.
That said, if a community goes that direction they will not be eligible to receive any of taxed revenue that will come from it.
The Citizen reached out to government leaders around Cayuga County, who noted that discussions are set to begin soon on whether they will opt-out, or stay put on allowing dispensaries to open.