Yorktown Opts Out Of Marijuana Dispensaries

YORKTOWN, NY — There will be no marijuana dispensaries in the town of Yorktown — for now.

The Town Board voted Tuesday to opt out of state regulations that permit the sale of marijuana and on-site consumption.

The vote was unanimous.

Supervisor Matt Slater said there are still questions on enforcement and on breathalyzers.

"It would be irresponsible for us to allow for a business when we don't know what the rules of engagement are," he said in a news release.

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.

According to the bill, failure to opt-out before Dec. 31 would mean that dispensaries could set up shop. The municipalities may, at a later date, decide to allow the sale and on-site use.

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

Town Board members said Yorktown's future leaders could reconsider dispensaries once there is more clarity on regulations and enforcement.

Councilwoman Alice Roker said she would be going against everything she told her kids if she didn't vote to opt out.

"My feeling is once we have a real law with real regulations," she said, "the next Town Board can consider what it wants to do."

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