TOWN OF MANLIUS – Marijuana dispensaries and lounges offering on-site marijuana consumption will be legal in the town of Manlius, but where those establishments will be sited is up in the air.
The town had until the end of the year to opt out. By not taking any action, the town will automatically opt in. The state has yet to issue formal regulations and licenses will not be issued until 2023.
Incoming supervisor John Deer said on Wednesday night that the town will use the next year to update its zoning and craft regulations for marijuana businesses.
“We’re going to make sure that our zoning is updated as needed,” Deer said. “At the end of the day, we don’t want this to put more burden on the police department.”
“We’re going to work with the proprietors to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to make sure that people get home safely,” he added.
Councilor Karen Green, whose term ends at the end of the year, voiced her opposition to the board’s decision not to opt out.
“The rules and regulations clearly aren’t in place. Supposedly the licenses aren’t going to be in place until 2023. We know that burdens will be placed on our law enforcement agencies,” Green said. “Why not opt out and then you can opt in at any time once these questions have more thought?”
The town’s decision not to opt out only affects those areas of the town that are outside the three villages. The village of Manlius has already opted out of dispensaries and on-site consumption establishments. Residents of Fayetteville and Minoa will be able to vote on the issue next spring.
By not opting out, the town will be eligible to receive tax revenue from these businesses. In New York, there will be an excise tax of 4% on marijuana sales. Three quarters of that revenue will go to the host municipality and the other quarter will go to the county.