Peekskill Likely To Greenlight Pot Dispensaries

PEEKSKILL, NY — Public comments from Peekskill Common Council members indicate that there are not enough votes for the city to opt out of state rules permitting marijuana dispensaries.

In March, the state enacted the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, which made the consumption of pot legal. Municipalities were told they could opt out of having marijuana-selling and on-site usage businesses, but they had to do so before the end of the year. Communities that opt out will not share in tax revenue generated by the new law.

According to the bill, failure to opt out before Dec. 31 would mean that dispensaries could set up shop.

No municipality, including Peekskill, can opt out of the provisions that make adult use of pot legal.

A number of Hudson Valley towns have already voted to opt out. Yorktown, Eastchester, Larchmont, Ardsley, Somers, North Castle, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Lewisboro, Bronxville, Mahopac, Cold Spring and Putnam Valley all chose to block pot businesses in their jurisdictions.

SEE ALSO: Yorktown Opts Out Of Marijuana Dispensaries

Towns that opt out of allowing recreational marijuana businesses are not prevented from voting to opt in at a later date.

The city has been soliciting comments from constituents about legal marijuana businesses since shortly after the state law was signed.

"We do have a survey running online," Peekskill City Manager Andrew Stewart told Patch, "and 70 percent support dispensaries."

The survey, in both English and Spanish, consists of two questions: Should Peekskill allow marijuana retail stores (dispensaries), and should Peekskill allow marijuana cafes (consumption sites)?

SEE ALSO: Peekskill Considering Marijuana Retail Sales, Cafes

At least four members of the common council have indicated their support for allowing recreational marijuana dispensaries and lounges. Mayor Andre Rainey, Council Member Kathie Talbot, Council Member Dwight Douglas and Council Member Vanessa Agudelo have all come out in favor of allowing the pot business in Peekskill.

"There have been a number of states that have legalized recreational marijuana and have seen million of dollars in revenue... The money is there, and we would absolutely be leaving it on the table if we were to opt out...We're talking about legit businesses here," Agudelo said in a public meeting last week to discuss the issue. "I would hate for us to paint a negative picture about marijuana."

Meanwhile, three of the elected officials on the common council have said they are leaning toward voting to opt out of allowing marijuana business, at least until state officials can offer more clarification on the rules. Peekskill Deputy Mayor Vivian McKenzie, Council Member Patricia Riley and Council Member Ramon Fernandez have indicated they would like Peekskill to opt out before the Dec. 31, deadline — four votes would be needed for that to happen.

"I understand it’s legal," Riley told fellow council members. "I understand it’s here to stay. I believe in the whole decriminalization of marijuana. I also believe if people want to smoke it, they can smoke it. They're doing it now. I do have a problem with dispensaries in the City of Peekskill."