The New York law that legalized cannabis allows local municipalities to restrict commercial sales, but time is running out for them to do so.
Possession and use of cannabis is now legal statewide, but retail sales are not expected to begin until next year. State regulators have to write the rules for how marijuana can be legally sold, but towns and cities can decide if they want commercial sales at all.
Sarah Brancatell, legislative director for the New York State Association of Towns, said during a recent webinar that municipalities have a narrow window to ban commercial sales .
“The local law has to be adopted on or before Dec. 31, 2021. That’s coming up really quickly.” Brancarella noted. “It’s like a one or done shot. If you adopt it on Jan. 1, it has no effect.”
Any local law restricting cannabis sales must also be approved by voters in a direct referendum.
Municipalities do not have the power to overturn other provisions of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, such as legalizing the possession and personal cultivation of cannabis.
