CANTON -- The Village of Canton will hold an open meeting on Wednesday, September 22, at 6 p.m., to hear public comment on permitting cannabis sale and consumption sites within the village.

Given the increase in COVID cases in Canton, the meeting will be held via Zoom. A link, which also allows participation by phone, will be posted at www.cantonny.gov on the day of the meeting.

Under New York State’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), which was signed into law on March 31, cities, towns, and villages may decide whether or not they will allow establishments within their jurisdictions to sell cannabis products and/or permit on-site cannabis consumption.

Municipalities cannot prohibit possession or consumption by adults 21 and older; both are now legal in New York State.

The state’s legalization allows the village to choose to opt out of allowing businesses or dispensaries to sell marijuana within its geographic boundaries. To opt out, the village must adopt a local law subject to permissive referendum on or before December 31.

The Board welcomes opinions for and against opting out. Written comments may be submitted to the Village Board c/o Mayor Michael Dalton at mdalton@cantonny.gov or 60 Main Street, Canton, NY 13617. To be included in the record of the public meeting, comments must be received in the Mayor’s office by 4 p.m. on September 22.

Additional information about the local opt-out option can be found at cannabis.ny.gov/local-government.