{"id":39614,"date":"2021-08-18T08:56:30","date_gmt":"2021-08-18T12:56:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/?p=39614"},"modified":"2021-08-18T09:37:45","modified_gmt":"2021-08-18T13:37:45","slug":"public-referendums-could-overturn-marijuana-dispensary-opt-out-efforts-by-local-officials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/public-referendums-could-overturn-marijuana-dispensary-opt-out-efforts-by-local-officials\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Referendums Could Overturn Marijuana Dispensary &#8216;Opt Out&#8217; Efforts"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"8771\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/poll-majority-of-new-yorkers-favor-legalization-of-pot\/marijuana\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/marijuana.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"300,300\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"marijuana\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/marijuana.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/marijuana.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-8771\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/marijuana.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/marijuana.jpg?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/marijuana.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Area residents opposed to the decision by their elected officials to opt out of allowing marijuana dispensaries to operate within their municipality have an option to fight back, but only have a limited time period to use it.<\/p>\n<p>Under New York State&#8217;s <strong>Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act<\/strong> (\u201cMRTA\u201d), local municipalities have the opportunity to opt out of allowing retail dispensaries and on-site consumption licensees to operate within their jurisdiction. To do so, the town, village, or city&#8217;s legislative body must adopt a local law to &#8216;opt out&#8217; by December 31, 2021. In August alone, the boards of three local townships have voted to opt out: <strong>Ellicott<\/strong> (on Aug. 16), <strong>Carroll<\/strong> (on Aug. 11), and <strong>Busti<\/strong> (on Aug. 2).<\/p>\n<p>But even with the town board&#8217;s approval to &#8216;opt out&#8217;, the local law is still subject to a <strong>permissive referendum<\/strong> governed by <strong>New York State Municipal Home Rule Law<\/strong>. State law provides that the proposed local law takes effect 45 days after its adoption, <em>unless<\/em> a valid petition requesting a permissive referendum is filed with the municipality&#8217;s clerk within that 45-day period. Any individual who was qualified and registered to vote in the last general election can file a petition calling for the permissive referendum. In order to force a public vote on the local law, the petition must be signed and authenticated by at least 10 percent of the total number of votes cast for governor during the last gubernatorial election in the respective municipality.<\/p>\n<p>The last gubernatorial election was in 2018. In the town of Ellicott 3,455 people voted for governor that year, meaning a minimum of 346 signatures would have to be collected to force a public vote. Meanwhile, the total number of votes for governor in the Town of Busti was 3,319, meaning 332 signatures would have to be collected. In the Town of Carroll the number was 1,445, meaning 145 signatures would have to be collected.<\/p>\n<p>Besides any qualified local resident having the opportunity to submit a petition, any member of the town board can also present a resolution within 45 days of the local laws passage, calling for a public vote on the matter. If a majority of the town board approves the proposed resolution, a public vote would then take place.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to townships having the ability to &#8216;opt out&#8217;, each village in the township also has the choice to opt out or allow dispensaries to open, regardless of what their township does. For example, even though the Town of Ellicott opted out, both the village of Celoron and the Village of Falconer would also have to pass their own Opt Out local law, in order to disallow marijuana dispensaries from operating in their respective jurisdictions.<\/p>\n<p>Clymer is another township in Chautauqua County that has decided to &#8216;opt out&#8217; of allowing marijuana dispensaries from opening. But officials made that decision in Mid-June, meaning the 45-day window to file for a permissive referendum has already passed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Area residents opposed to the decision by their elected officials to opt out of allowing marijuana dispensaries to operate within their municipality have an option to fight back, but only have a limited time period to use it. Under New York State&#8217;s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (\u201cMRTA\u201d), local municipalities have the opportunity to opt [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":8772,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[4],"tags":[1498,3350,10570,10571,2273,2651,10572,2275],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/marijuana-feature.png?fit=332%2C190&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3YlJ4-aiW","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":41529,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/city-of-jamestown-wont-opt-out-of-allowing-cannabis-dispensaries-consumption-locations\/","url_meta":{"origin":39614,"position":0},"title":"City of Jamestown Won&#8217;t &#8216;Opt-Out&#8217; of Allowing Cannabis Dispensaries, Consumption Locations","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"December 10, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Jamestown City Council won't be voting on the issue of opting out of the state law allowing businesses to sell cannabis products. Jamestown City Council President Tony Dolce confirmed to WRFA that despite the introduction of local law last month calling for the city to \"opt out\" of allowing cannabis\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Local News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/cannabis-buds-hero-1024x683-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/cannabis-buds-hero-1024x683-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/cannabis-buds-hero-1024x683-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/cannabis-buds-hero-1024x683-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":41274,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/jamestown-city-council-to-vote-on-budget-introduce-marijuana-opt-out-law\/","url_meta":{"origin":39614,"position":1},"title":"Jamestown City Council to Vote on Budget, Introduce Marijuana Opt-Out Law","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"November 29, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Jamestown City Council will vote on the 2022 budget tonight and also introduce an opt out law regarding marijuana dispensaries and consumption establishments. The opt out law was filed under new business and will likely be tabled in order for it to be discussed at December's council work sessions. A\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Local News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Jamestown-City-Council-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Jamestown-City-Council-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Jamestown-City-Council-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Jamestown-City-Council-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Jamestown-City-Council-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":40109,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/state-senator-borrello-proposesextending-municipal-out-out-provision-for-marijuana\/","url_meta":{"origin":39614,"position":2},"title":"State Senator Borrello ProposesExtending Municipal Out-Out Provision for Marijuana","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"September 17, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"State Senator George Borello is proposing legislation that would extend the recreational marijuana law's municipal opt-out provision to the end of 2022. Borrello said the delays in the roll-out of the new state law authorizing the use and sale of recreational marijuana combined with frustration from local officials and stakeholders\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Local News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/George-Borrello-March-2020-1.jpg?fit=500%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":39473,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/lakewood-to-hold-public-hearing-tonight-on-cannabis-retail-dispensaries-consumption-locations\/","url_meta":{"origin":39614,"position":3},"title":"Lakewood to Hold Public Hearing Tonight on Cannabis Retail Dispensaries, Consumption Locations","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"August 9, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Village of Lakewood will hold a public hearing tonight on whether to allow cannabis retail dispensaries and consumption locations in the village. Under the marijuana legalization law, municipalities must decide before the end of the year whether to opt-out of allowing dispensaries or on-site consumption establishments. If the village\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Local News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/marijuana.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":39681,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/lakewood-village-board-opts-out-of-recreational-marijuana-retail-sales-dispensaries-consumption-locations\/","url_meta":{"origin":39614,"position":4},"title":"Lakewood Village Board Opts-Out of Recreational Marijuana Retail Sales, Dispensaries, Consumption Locations","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"August 24, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Lakewood Village Board voted unanimously Monday night to opt out of allowing retail sales of cannabis, dispensaries, and consumption locations in the village. Sixteen residents attended the meeting, but this time the majority of speakers were for the village opting out. Resident Richard Peterson said he's a retired school\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Local News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20210823_184645-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20210823_184645-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20210823_184645-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20210823_184645-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20210823_184645-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":46369,"url":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/nys-begins-accepting-applications-for-retail-cannabis-dispensaries\/","url_meta":{"origin":39614,"position":5},"title":"NYS Begins Accepting Applications for Retail Cannabis Dispensaries","author":"WRFA Radio","date":"August 26, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"New York State has begun accepting applications for retail cannabis dispensaries. The State Office of Cannabis Management announced applications for Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licenses are now being accepted online. Licenses to sell adult-use cannabis will be awarded people who were most impacted by the enforcement of the prohibition\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Local News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Local News","link":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/category\/news\/local-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Cannabis-Retail-Applicaiton.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Cannabis-Retail-Applicaiton.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Cannabis-Retail-Applicaiton.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Cannabis-Retail-Applicaiton.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Cannabis-Retail-Applicaiton.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39614"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39614"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39614\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39617,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39614\/revisions\/39617"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39614"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39614"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrfalp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39614"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}