Marijuana

A business looking to open a marijuana shop in Riverhead believes the town law regulating the locations of dispensaries is overly restrictive and has asked state regulators to decide whether it complies with the state cannabis law.

Rules allowing adult New Yorkers to grown their own marijuana for personal use were approved by the state on Friday. The state also approved the first non-conditional retail licenses. Riverhead, meanwhile, will hold a public hearing Wednesday on zoning code changes aimed at easing restrictions on where retail cannabis shops and lounges can be located.

A proposed amendment to Riverhead’s zoning code governing cannabis businesses in town would allow retail marijuana shops in more locations than the code in its current form. But the true impact of the proposal — and whether it would be effective in bringing the businesses to town — remains to be seen.  

The Ostrander Avenue location approved by the State Cannabis Control Board does not meet town code requirements because it is within a 1,000-foot setback from residential uses.

The committee originally tasked with creating Riverhead’s local law regulating the location of recreational marijuana dispensaries and lounges will reconvene Wednesday evening, after members of the business community said the zoning laws were too restrictive. 

A cringeworthy reefer madness tale: Riverhead's move to 'opt-out' of having retail marijuana establishments in the town failed when put to a vote in 2021. But you'd never know it by the code the town adopted. When local business owners tried to discuss it with the board, the result was cringeworthy. Editorial.

The town's list of 36 properties eligible for cannabis uses under the town code includeS Tanger Outlets, Walmart, three large hotels, an apartment complex, a mobile home park and other developed sites.Only six on the list are currently not in use.

According to a town document distributed to officials yesterday, there are only 36 properties in the entire town where recreational marijuana businesses can locate, mostly because of restrictive zoning requirements passed by the Town Board last year.

The board voted 4-1 to adopt the code, with Supervisor Yvette Aguiar casting the lone dissenting vote, arguing that it will be invalidated by the state, as she misrepresented the contents of a document outlining upcoming state regulations.

Residents and prospective marijuana entrepreneurs applauded the Riverhead Town Board’s proposed zoning code for marijuana businesses as retail sales are poised to get underway, with one speaker calling it the most “progressive” of its kind and most friendly to the emerging industry on Long Island.