To the Editor:

The  Board, or at minimum some customers, is seemingly considering laws forbidding the sale of marijuana in Backyard garden Town. A short while ago. Trustee Chester, at an Estates Home Owners’ Association conference a few weeks ago  stated with self confidence that there were being enough votes presently lined up to enact area laws to opt out of letting retail gross sales in the Village. Personally, I really don’t care about the close outcome, I am extra focused on the method aspect of this concern.

Why would some members of the Board already have made the decision the consequence?  Where is the supporting assessment?  Is this an example of the seat of the trousers sort reactionary selection creating we can anticipate from this new Board on a full host of significant challenges?  Is this an instance of concealed conclusion creating possessing transpired in violation of the Open Conferences laws?  Did some Board members come to a decision in a non- community meeting or in email messages?  How about a discussion in community on the merits?

Pretty much just about every poll taken in the very last several a long time demonstrate escalating acceptance of cannabis, for equally health care and leisure use.  This is real nationally and in New York State.

For case in point, the Pew Exploration Heart, a well-respected entity stories:

(APRIL 16, 2021)

 Americans overwhelmingly say cannabis ought to be lawful for leisure or health care use.

 As far more states, like Virginia and New York, proceed to legalize cannabis, an overpowering share of U.S. grown ups (91%) say both that marijuana should be lawful for professional medical and recreational use (60%) or that it must be authorized for health care use only (31%). Fewer than a single-in-10 (8%) say cannabis ought to not be lawful for use by older people.

 The new study, conducted by Pew Research Center from April 5-11, 2021, will come as congressional Democrats contemplate laws that would decriminalize cannabis nationally. Sights of marijuana legalization have changed incredibly tiny given that 2019.

 A independent issue that asks whether the use of marijuana ought to be designed authorized – with out specifying for recreational or healthcare utilizes – has revealed a steep, long-time period rise in assistance for legalization. From 2000 to 2019, the share of Individuals stating marijuana should really be authorized a lot more than doubled.

 There have lengthy been age and partisan differences in sights about marijuana, and that continues to be the circumstance nowadays. Quite handful of grown ups of any age are totally opposed to the legalization of marijuana. Having said that, more mature grownups are significantly a lot less very likely than youthful folks to favor cannabis legalization for leisure use.

Let us not child ourselves that citizens of Yard City are various.  We are all nicely mindful that several people of Back garden Town, regardless of age,  have employed or do use recreational marijuana.   For instance, inhabitants who have travelled to Colorado on ski trips generally return with “gummy bears.”  Exact same with all those travelling to Massachusetts and quite a few other states.  Legal professionals, bankers, analysts, traders, physicians, contractors, remain at property mothers and fathers, investment advisors, real estate brokers use it.  All successful productive folks.  In advance of the legalization of retail use of marijuana by now 16 states (healthcare use acceptance if much higher at 36 states), did any individual who required to use marijuana seriously have that a great deal problems getting a vendor?  The State of New York acted to approve its open up sale for the reason that most people favor it and to steer clear of the economic and societal expenses of enforcement.

If any individual thinks that forbidding sale in Garden City will quit people or some others from utilizing they are absolutely incorrect and can’t supply any sensible basis for this kind of ideas.  A single will be capable to vacation 2 miles in any direction to obtain it.  People will be authorized to increase up to 3 vegetation – no matter of just about anything the Village claims or does. Any person doing work in NYC can seize a number of gummy bears or joints prior to they capture a educate to appear residence.

Controlled sale is the finest way to take care of the use and threats.  Let us not permit allow for outdated unsupported biases dictate what we do below in the Village.  If liquor is suitable, it is really hard to argue that marijuana should really be treated in a different way.

Liquor can’t be purchased by minors – neither can marijuana.  Saying that little ones are at risk from permitting venues in the Village to promote cannabis is no a lot more logical than enabling liquor to be sold on 7th Road, in the 3 supermarkets in the Village and in 7 Eleven, sites our young children go to all the time.  Our youngsters see beer in supermarkets and in benefit outlets. Every person has bottles of liquor openly displayed in their properties and beer in the fridge.  If “seeing it” or staying “exposed to it” is our measurement stick for protecting small children from working with one thing – then why do we allow liquor product sales in the Village and why do men and women brazenly display screen it at property?

Declaring “liquor is recognized by society” is not an solution.  Don’t forget, a hundred yrs ago this nation had prohibition.  There are however destinations through this region where liquor are not able to be obtained.

Maybe no motion must be taken unless a Village large poll is conducted with mystery balloting.   This topic appears to be ripe for a poll prior to any action is voted upon.  Did not the FABGC group campaign that it would listen to the people prior to generating decisions?  Effectively now is its possibility to dwell up to marketing campaign rhetoric.

Brian Daughney