Smith Voices Concerns Over Legalizing Marijuana And Plans To Keep His District Free Of Dispensaries
After Gov. Cuomo revealed that counties or cities with over 100,000 residents can opt out of selling marijuana within its boundaries, Assemblyman Doug Smith (5th Assembly District) has begun to speak with local government officials to discuss a ban on recreational marijuana dispensaries in his district on Long Island.
North Hempstead recently became the first Long Island town to ban sales of recreational marijuana if it becomes legal in the state. According to Newsday, the ban passed Jan. 8 during a town council meeting. They decided that “no building, structure or premises within any district in the Town of North Hempstead may be used for the sale, distribution or offer for consumption of marijuana or marijuana products in a retail setting or environment for non-medical use.”
“I’m not completely against legalizing marijuana, because I do support medical marijuana,” Smith said. “What I am against is seeing dispensaries flood the streets of my district causing widespread use of marijuana across the town.”
Legalizing marijuana might generate millions in sales tax, but concerns of how to enhance public safety, educate our youth and eliminate drug related crimes are concerns residents continue to ask. Long Islanders hope to see strict regulatory laws placed on where to and who can purchase the drug, and how the state will keep our public safe from drivers under the influence.
“As a father and a certified teacher, I’m concerned about the safety of our community. Not only will we see an increase of drivers under the influence, but in other states we’ve seen marijuana cookies and marijuana gummy bears – where it may say ‘only eat two gummy bears’ or ‘a quarter of the cookie’ – but children will eat the entire pack and wind up in the hospital,” Smith said.
Towns on Long Island need to stay aware and understand the dangers of legalizing recreational marijuana. If you would like to voice your concern over the legalization of recreational marijuana please call or email at smithd@nyassembly.gov or by phone at (631) 585-0230.