TOH Opts Out Of Recreational Marijuana Sites

HEMPSTEAD, NY — The Town of Hempstead opted out of the state's marijuana legalization law.

The vote on Tuesday was unanimous among the board members for "opt-out."
According to Newsday, council members can still opt-in at a later date.

The legislation is aimed at recreational retail and consumption sites, although it would allow residents to grow or consume marijuana in their homes, Newsday reported.

The resolution states the town "opt-out" is in relation to prohibiting the retail sale of adult-use cannabis as part of the state's Cannabis Law.

Prior to the vote, it was announced that several school districts were in favor of the opt-out, including Baldwin, Long Beach, Malverne, Oceanside, Lynbrook, North Bellmore and Seaford.

One of the speakers at the public hearing was Nassau County Health Commissioner, Lawrence Eisenstein, who said he's very concerned about the risks of recreational marijuana.

"The data is clear," he said. "I don't think even the advocates' debate that there [is] an increase in automobile accidents in states that have legalized marijuana."

The city of Long Beach is scheduled to take up the matter at a Dec. 21 hearing.