Cannabis Legalization Information and Resources

The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) was signed into New York State law on March 31, 2021. The possession and use of recreational marijuana is now legal for adults older than 21. The MRTA established the Office of Cannabis Management to develop and oversee the regulatory framework that will govern the production, sale and distribution of cannabis in New York. Many of the rules and regulations governing cannabis in the state have not yet been fully established, though the regulatory framework is similar to the way alcohol is regulated through the New York State Liquor Authority. According to the New York Council of Mayors (NYCOM), the actual sale of adult-use cannabis is not expected to begin until late 2022 or 2023. There are multiple licenses and regulations over which the Village, as a municipality, will not have any control, but there are at least three areas of the law that local communities have some say, and the Village must make some decisions by the end of the year. 

The Village must decide whether to opt out of allowing retail sales (think of a liquor store for marijuana), on-site consumption (think of a bar, but for marijuana), or both. If the Village wants to opt out, the Board must enact a local law by December 31, 2021, otherwise, the Village automatically opts in. If the Village opts in, the Board will have the ability to enact rules regulating time, place and manner of operation of businesses, but the Village will not be able to bar them entirely. If the Village opts in, the Village will receive a percentage of the sales tax from establishments selling cannabis in within our borders. If the Village opts in, the Village will receive a percentage of the sales tax from establishments selling cannabis in within our borders. Once the Village opts in, they will not have another opportunity to opt out. If they opt out, they will be able to opt in at a later time.

The Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, November 23rd to receive public comment on an a draft Introductory Local Law which, after adding a new Chapter 141 "Cannabis Licensing" to the Dobbs Ferry Code, will propose to separately "opt out" of permitting licensing within the Village of (a) retail cannabis dispensaries, and (b) on-site consumption establishments. 

The meeting will be conducted in the Board Room of Village Hall using a hybrid method combining the options of in-person and virtual attendance. This method meets the Village’s goal of protecting public health and complies with New York State law, Chapter 147 of the Laws of 2021 which permits virtual participation by Board Members. The meeting will also be broadcast live on Optimum/Altice and on Verizon, as well as stream live on YouTube.

The following is the Zoom invitation if you choose to participate remotely:

Topic: Board of Trustees Meeting

Please click the link below to join the webinar:   https://zoom.us/j/205957953?pwd=aU5YNHJVYkxub21WN0RzQUZoVzROUT09

Telephone: 1 929 205 6099

Webinar ID: 205 957 953

Password: 309361

Resources

New York Office of Cannabis Management

MRTA Info Sheet from NYCOM

NYCOM marijuana legalization resources page

NYC DA Report on Marijuana, Fairness and Public Safety

Actions taken by Westchester Municipalities as of 11/19/21

Impacts of Marijuana Legalization in Colorado

Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Fourth Annual Activities Report

Fact Sheet: What you need to know

Fact sheet: Governance structure

Fact sheet: Penal Law

Fact Sheet: Social and Economic Equity

Videos:

Educational Forum held July 12, 2021

Community Forum held October 6, 2021 

Board Discussion November 9, 2021

Educational Forum held July 12, 2021