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State Releases Cannabis Opt-Out Data

This Aug. 22, 2019, file photo shows medical marijuana plants being grown before flowering during a media tour of the Curaleaf medical cannabis cultivation and processing facility in Ravena, N.Y. New Yorkers can now possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis under a legalization bill signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. AP photo

The state’s Office of Cannabis Management released data last week on the municipalities that opted out of allowing sales.

Statewide, 34% of all municipalities opted out of both dispensaries and on-site consumption. Just 10% of cities did, while 29% of villages and 39% of towns did so.

According to a list compiled by the office, most of the municipalities in Chautauqua County opted out. However, mirroring the statewide trend, neither of its cities — Dunkirk and Jamestown — did.

Other localities in the county that did not opt out include the villages of Fredonia, Sherman and Westfield, and the towns of Arkwright, Dunkirk, Pomfret and Westfield.

The village of Cassadaga and town of Mina opted out of on-site consumption points, but not retail dispensaries.

The state’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act gave municipalities until Dec. 31 to opt out. The act of opting out required local laws and was basically a request to the state Cannabis Control Board that it not put in any sales sites.

Municipalities that opted out of marijuana sales can opt in at any time. Possession and use of cannabis by adults aged 21 and over cannot be prohibited.

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