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Public comment sought Oct. 19 on cannabis businesses in Massena village

Posted 9/23/21

BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI North Country This Week MASSENA — The village will hear public comment regarding cannabis businesses in the village limits during their next board meeting, Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m. …

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Public comment sought Oct. 19 on cannabis businesses in Massena village

Posted

BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA — The village will hear public comment regarding cannabis businesses in the village limits during their next board meeting, Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

The decision to hear public comment was made during the board meeting on Sept. 21.

Officials are hoping to hear feedback from residents regarding the establishment of dispensaries, as well as on-site consumption businesses like smoke lounges.

“I’ve heard from a handful of people and the vast majority are against the overall legalization of marijuana,” deputy mayor Matt Lebire said.

“But as I explained to them, we have no control over that and we’re here to talk about establishing businesses in the village,” he said.

Residents who oppose the measure concede that anyone looking to purchase marijuana can just go to another town to purchase it and bring it back to Massena, he said.

“In most cases they come around and are OK with dispensaries for the sake of tax revenue but they are almost always against on-site consumption,” he said.

Trustee Christine Winston said that she has had totally different interactions with the public.

“I’ve had a number of conversations with residents and most are all for the dispensaries. I spoke to one couple who drive to Plattsburgh for medicinal use Marijuana because her husband has cancer and they wish there was a closer, local option for them,” she said.

Despite the support, many on the board feel businesses for on-site consumption will not garner much support.

“It’s already legal and people will get it anyway, so I think dispensaries are OK,” trustee Francis Carvel said.

But he would not go as far to support other businesses.

Officials have also played with the idea of opting in, while delaying the option to allow on-site consumption businesses.

Village tax-payers will soon have a say, offering their input on the initiative.