“Opting in” on cannabis and other proposals discussed in Amenia

AMENIA — Two proposals from local residents were heard at the Amenia Town Board meeting Thursday, Jan. 18, one urging the town to “opt in” to the process that would allow for licensing of local cannabis establishments, including dispensaries, and the other asking for designated parking spaces at the local post office.

Early in the public comment portion of the meeting, local cannabis micro-farm proponent Doug Brown urged the Town Board to opt into the state process to allow for cannabis business licensing through the Cannabis Control Board. Cannabis growing and dispensing was legalized by the state in 2021, creating an application process through which residents could submit applications to grow or sell the substance.

Brown indicated that he is seeking license to grow cannabis locally and is prepared to sell to dispensaries in the region, although he would like to open a local micro-dispensary; he envisions a building with an attractive apothecary look as a beneficial addition to the community.

Councilman Paul Winters supported the concept of opting in, saying that he has been favoring the loosening of cannabis regulations since the 1990s.

Later in the meeting, Winters reopened discussion, indicating that zoning laws would need to be created, and urged that a resolution be created to direct the zoning and planning commissions to prepare for the opting-in process.

“It’s important to proceed properly,” Winters cautioned, mindful of Brown’s statement that provisions can be enacted to limit the location and allowable activity around such operations. Winters said that public hearings would be part of every step in the process.

Acknowledging the potential benefits to opting in, including tax revenue and employment, Town Supervisor Leo Blackman added that the issue is not as easy as that.

Based on discussion with Town Board attorney Ian Lindars, the Town Board established that the first step should be a Town Board decision whether or not to proceed with the idea of opting in. Once that decision is made, then a local law could be drafted that would lead in turn to the drafting of a zoning law.

Discussion will be continued at the next Town Board meeting when Councilwoman Rosanna Hamm would be able to participate. She was absent from the Jan. 18 meeting due to attending a town government training session.

The Town Board also heard Spruce Hill resident Salvatore LaRosa’s suggestion that two parking spaces at the curb in front of the post office be designated for postal patron parking.