P-J file photo

MAYVILLE — During a meeting of the Countywide Alliance for Enforcement and Rehabilitation, members discussed preparations for the likely legalization of recreational marijuana in the state and how it could impact Chautauqua County.

County Executive George Borrello wondered with CAER officials regarding how the drug would be regulated in the event it becomes legal. Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano expressed concern about the smoking and consumption of food that includes marijuana as an ingredient, as such intoxication would impair people’s driving abilities.

“We know it’s coming,” Borrello said. “The governor’s proposal includes creating a cannabis commission, and of course the bureaucracy that’s going to go along with that is going to cost money. There’s a tremendous amount of flaws in the program. … They’re racing to push this law through. They’re going to make mistakes.”

Borrello said they could have an entire meeting on how regulations could be planned for ahead of time in order to manage possible negative effects of recreational marijuana legalization. Chautauqua County legislators have also expressed their opposition to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal.

CAER Chairman Tom Tarpley shared an update on recreational marijuana in California courtesy in part from The Los Angeles Times and field guides for recreational marijuana. He said that many cities in the west coast state zone out stores that could possibly sell marijuana, causing those who smoke or otherwise use the drug recreationally to rely more heavily on delivery services.

Tarpley said these services are oftentimes the victims of robberies and murders; Borrello warned that something similar could be coming to Chautauqua County since if the county opted out of state legalization, as many legislators indicated last month, delivery systems could be the primary way local residents get recreational marijuana.

Borrello also shared his lack of surprise that positive economic impact was less helpful than had been expected in California. Lawmakers had expected $630 million in revenue and altered their expectations to $345 million for the past year.

The county executive also said that marijuana would be sold for cheap from local native American reserves, much like tobacco sold that way does not need to be taxed by the state. Borrello said local shops wouldn’t be able to compete with those prices and that people across the state would be coming from afar to buy marijuana sold from these reserves.

“We’re going to have a hard time,” said Borrello, who wants CAER and law enforcement to be best prepared for potential legalization.

Tarpley also presented information regarding spikes in methamphetamine-related crimes and the increased traffic of the drug across the country, something Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings agreed was coming. He said that murders and other violent crimes over meth are expected to rise.

“Meth is rearing its really ugly head,” Tarpley said.