Office of Cannabis Management launches new opt-out tool for cities and towns

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Office of Cannabis Management is making it easier for localities wanting to opt out of marijuana businesses in New York.

Cities, villages, and towns have until Dec. 31, 2021, to opt-out of allowing businesses that sell recreational marijuana or where consuming recreational marijuana is allowed to open within their limits.

If a local government does ban sales, those communities will not get any tax dollars from recreational marijuana.

It is possible for localities to opt back in after they’ve opted out.

The new web portal to do so is online here.

Irondequoit voted to opt-in Tuesday night, agreeing to host dispensaries or on-site consumption licensees.

The Town of Gates decided to make the move to opt-out last week and the City of Watertown, not far from the 1000 Islands, also voted to opt-out of recreational marijuana sales back in July.