Opinion was divided on a set of new regulations that make a provision for cannabis-related establishments amongst larger zoning changes that officials say will bring more continuity to zoning regulations across the Town of Saugerties.
Town Supervisor Fred Costello said the new regulations would set guidelines and restrictions for where cannabis activities could take place within the Town. A percentage of residents have always engaged in cannabis use and now there will be legal opportunities to do it in the area, he said.
“We want to zone it into areas that are most appropriate,” Costello said.
Mark Canter, who’s lived in Saugerties for 26 years, supports regulations paving the way for cannabis establishments in the Town. “This sort of activity is a boon for our Town,” he said.
But another resident spoke out in strong opposition to allowing cannabis businesses in the Town, pointing to tobacco and the side effects of smoking. She said marijuana is a psychoactive drug that affects the brain receptors and she shared a list of side-effects including loss of coordination, serious impairments, driving issues, hallucinations and second-hand smoke.
She urged the board to opt out.
John Livermore, who uses medical cannabis, painted a far different picture of cannabis and he said medical cannabis has helped him get through a really tough time in his life.
“I don’t think anyone should tell us what we should do or shouldn’t do,” he said. “I don’t think having a retail location is going to bring harm.”
He said cannabis locations will be just like a bar for people who want to enjoy good things.
“I think the three-percent tax base is tremendous and will help us lower the tax burden.”
Vicki Dross disagreed. “What type of town are we building?” she questioned. “I can appreciate the gentleman and his personal experience, but has he had any contact with a person addicted to drugs?”
Mary O’Donnell also expressed concerns about the consumption and sales without regulation and people driving under the influence of cannabis.
She suggested the Town opt-out under the new state regulations, do an extensive study then only opt back in the study and determine it’s a good decision.
Costello disagreed, noting there are risks if the Town Board opts out noting a provision that allows residents to override it. He said the Planning Board has already been hard at work since cannabis was legalized in New York State back in April. Regulations for retail sales and consumption are still being drafted and officials and some industry experts predict New York won’t see stores or consumption spaces until as late as 2023.
“We’re kidding ourselves if we think our residents aren’t driving to Massachusetts,” he said. Recreational cannabis was legalized in Massachusetts back in 2016. Still others are continuing to take advantage of “legacy underground markets,” Costello added.
Costello said provisions of the state and local law that call for setbacks from any educational or religious facilities would help limit the number of shops. That said he admitted Saugerties could become a cannabis destination should nearby municipalities decide to opt out.
He said Town officials have no revenue projects from cannabis sales yet.
But he asserted it’s a legal activity and the town is just trying to best plan, anticipate and mitigate any effects that may arise from legalization. “We’re trying to do this to direct sales opportunities to areas most appropriate,” Costello said.
Another speaker asserted that cannabis does have medical purposes and has helped a relative with issues she’s dealing with. He said dispensaries he’s visited are nothing like a grocery store opponents envision. “It’s very controlled. When you leave, the bag has to be stapled and if you get pulled over while using, there are other consequences.”
Saugerties cannabis Town Hall meeting
A public discussion on cannabis and the new legislation requirements passed earlier this year in New York State will take place on Monday, December 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Frank Greco Senior Center, located at 207 Market Street in Saugerties. This meeting will provide an opportunity for community members to openly discuss and better understand the meaning of sales, warehousing, distribution, consumption and cultivation of cannabis within the Town and Village of Saugerties.
The presenters will include David C. Holland, president, New York City Cannabis Association; Town of Saugerties supervisor Fred Costello; Martha McDermott, MSW, certified mediator, cannabis educator and patient and consumer advocate; Village of Saugerties mayor William Murphy; Saugerties Police chief Joseph Sinagra; and Ruben J. Lindo, CEO of Phoenix Nutraceutical, Inc., Blak Mar Farms, LLC and Herbn Couture, LLC.
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