LIVINGSTON MANOR –– When it comes to cannabis retail dispensaries and consumption sites, the Town of Rockland is open for business.

Municipalities have until December 31 to opt-out of cannabis retail dispensaries and on-site consumption facilities (cafes, bakeries, etc.), if they so choose. Otherwise they automatically opt-in.

Following a public hearing on a local law that would see the town opt out of retail dispensaries and consumption sites, the Rockland Town Board unanimously chose to take no action prior to the December 31 deadline.

All members of the public who commented expressed support for opting in to retail dispensaries, with one of those individuals believing they should opt out of consumption sites.

By taking no action, the Town of Rockland will opt-in to both in the new year.

Town of Rockland Supervisor Rob Eggleton told the Democrat that concerns regarding public safety and cannabis were mitigated after speaking with some members of law enforcement.

Also, after discussions in research of the vote on the local law, Eggleton feels that if the town opted out, there wouldn’t be any licenses available if they opted in at a later date.

“I don’t want to pass that up,” he said, citing Livingston Manor as a good place for one of these types of new cannabis businesses. “And if we can get revenue for the town, then great.”
Municipalities will receive a percentage of the revenue from cannabis businesses within their borders.

“People have been smoking marijuana for years, and currently people can have it,” Eggleton added, “so if it’s already legal then why should we try and prohibit it from being in our town when it’s already here?”

Town of Rockland Councilmember Chrissy Routledge told the Democrat that she would never want to turn down the opportunity for new business prospects to the Town of Rockland.

“I am in favor of any type of business growth and development in the town and the increased revenue it will generate,” she said. “I’m positive that the laws surrounding the changes in New York State will give people safe access to cannabis.”