FALLSBURG — A public hearing was held on December 13 regarding one of the last local laws the Fallsburg Town Board will be discussing in 2021. The town has until December 31 to decide whether to opt-out of allowing businesses that sell Cannabis and/or consumption site businesses such as bakeries and cafes.

If the town does nothing, they will automatically opt in to allow such businesses within the borders of Fallsburg.

Those who attended the meeting held at the South Fallsburg Senior Center or participated via the Zoom Video App expressed concern over having consumption sites and stated that the town should wait and see what happens with other towns in the new year.

Fallsburg Supervisor Steven Vegliante asked the board to review the information from the state before voting.

Councilperson Joe Levner said he is okay with cannabis use however, as someone who has worked in education for over 20 years, he said that “marijuana is already a problem and was prepared to vote to opt-out.”

“Adding these sites to our town is only going to increase those problems. It's going to get easier for students to get their hands on these drugs,” added Levner.

Furthermore, he expressed concern about potential health risks involved in smoking cannabis.

“How is this going to make the county more healthy by allowing these sites within the county?,” said Levner.

Councilman Nathan Steingart applauded New York State for the legalization of cannabis, citing the regulations that go into creating the product when compared to purchasing it on the street from an unknown source.

Steingart also cited the social justice aspect of the new cannabis regulations.

According to the Office for Cannabis Managers (OCB), “The OCM will actively promote social and economic equity applicants who have been harmed by the prohibition of cannabis for adult-use licenses, establishing a goal of awarding 50 percent of licenses to social and economic equity applicants.”

Vegliante added alcohol consumption in his eyes is a more dangerous drug that is allowed to be sold but added that he understands the concerns of those driving under the influence.

New York State is already getting the message out with signs along State Route 17 that warn that driving “high “will get you a DUI.”

Vegliante said the town should not pass on any economic impact cannabis could bring.

Town Attorney Paula Kay said she would prepare the legislation for the town board to review before voting on the local law at the next town board meeting on December 27, days before the deadline.