MAMAKATING — Back in July, Mamakating’s Town Board voted to adopt a local law prohibiting on-site consumption of cannabis at licensed commercial facilities within town limits.

In addition to five other state-wide propositions on the ballot this year, Mamakating voters will have the option to vote yes or no on approving the town’s local law to “opt out” of marijuana consumption sites.

Back in July, Mamakating’s Town Board announced that Mamakating had the option to “opt out” of allowing marijuana consumption sites within town limits since marijuana had been legalized in New York.

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a law legalizing recreational use of marijuana in April 2021 making New York the fifteenth state in the United States to do so. Town Supervisor Janet Lybolt explained that this meant that due to the legalization of marijuana, municipalities could decide if they wanted new businesses that would allow people to use marijuana on site. As a result, Mamakating’s board decided to introduce the “Opt-Out of Allowing On-Site Cannabis Consumption Establishments” Local Law.

Supervisor Lybolt stated that the proposal would only refer to stores or establishments that would allow customers to use or consume marijuana products on site. The proposal would not stop any interested dispensaries or other marijuana related businesses that are interested in opening in Mamakating.

Lybolt has said marijuana consumption sites would not align well with Mamakating’s ecotourism goals and Comprehensive Plan. She has also stated that she was concerned with people consuming marijuana products and driving and potentially injuring themselves and others within the town. These sites are not in the best interest for the town of Mamakating, Lybolt said.

Proposition Six on all Mamakating ballots reads as follows: Shall the Local Law entitled Opt-Out of Allowing On-Site Cannabis Consumption Establishments, “which law would prohibit commercial on site-cannabis consumption facilities from locating in the Town of Mamakating, be approved and enacted into law?”