CAZENOVIA, NY — The village of Cazenovia has voted to opt out of allowing retail marijuana sales in the village. The unanimous vote by the village board makes it among the first in New York to take a stand.
Cazenovia Mayor Kurt Wheeler said after the 4-0 vote Thursday night that the board believes the decision “is in the best interests of the community.”
On March 31, New York made recreational use of marijuana legal. Towns and villages can’t do anything to limit a resident’s right to possess or consume weed. But the communities do have the power to prohibit retail outlets from selling pot.
Municipalities can pass a local law opting out of allowing pot dispensaries within their boundaries, as Cazenovia did tonight. If a local government does nothing, the community is automatically in. If it goes with an opt-out law, it has to be approved by Dec. 31.
If residents don’t like the village’s decision, they can force a public vote, known as a permissive referendum.
Several villages, including Fayetteville and Camillus, plan to put the issue on the ballot for residents to decide. Village boards are the only ones that can choose on their own to put the decision to a binding vote of the public. The village would first have to opt out, then make the public vote part of that law.
Cazenovia won’t do that because the board has made the decision.
Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime at 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com