Set for 7 p.m. on July 12
The Town Board has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, July 12 on a proposal to opt out of the state cannabis law. The hearing is due to begin at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
If the proposal is adopted, the sale of marijuana and the establishment of marijuana lounges will be illegal in Cornwall – although the recreational use of marijuana in Cornwall would not be prohibited.
Municipalities have until Dec. 31 to opt out of the law. After that date, there’s no turning back. Communities can no longer opt out. However, the reverse isn’t true. A community that has opted out can adopt the law at a later date.
Supervisor Richard Randazzo believes that most communities will opt out because it gives them more flexibility. If after the public hearing, the Town Board passes a resolution to opt out of the law, community members could still challenge the board’s decision.
They would do that by petitioning for a permissive referendum. The petition would have to be submitted to the Town Clerk within 45 days after the resolution is passed. And the number of signatures would have to equal at least 10 percent of the number of votes cast in Cornwall in the last gubernatorial election.
The July 12 hearing on the cannabis law will be followed by a hearing to officially adopt the National Heritage Project, which is also known as the “Open Space Inventory.” The board is proposing that the Planning Board refer to the inventory as a resource when considering new proposals for land use.
You don’t have to register in advance to participate in a public hearing. Speakers just raise their hands and wait to be recognized.
