Which Municipalities Opted-In to Adult-Use Recreational Cannabis? by Julia Evans

Know Which Municipalities Opted-In to Adult-Use Cannabis

by Julia Evans

December 5, 2022

RESOURCE:

Marijuana Opt-Out Tracker - Rockefeller Institute of Government

When MRTA legalized adult-use cannabis, its provisions permitted municipalities (towns, cities, and villages) to opt out of the state licensing for dispensaries and/or on-site consumption lounges within their jurisdiction. Thanks to Heather Trela and the Rockefeller Institute of Government, we now have a centralized location to find out whether each NYS municipality has opted in or opted out to retail dispensaries and/or on-site consumption lounges. In order to opt out, the municipality had to have passed a local law before the end of 2021 that exerts their authority under MRTA to prohibit said cannabis establishments. Luckily, if the residents of the municipality disagree with these local laws, they can gather signatures to hold a special election to vote on whether to overturn the pot out. Municipalities that opt in do so permanently; they are unable to revoke their permission for adult-use dispensaries and on-site consumption lounges. If you are looking to open a cannabis dispensary or on-site consumption lounge in the future, keep track of where you will be allowed to set up shop with the Marijuana Opt-Out Tracker provided by the Rockefeller Institute of Government. If you have any questions about this or any other cannabis related matter, please Contact Us.