Long Beach, New York has opted to not allow marijuana dispensaries or on-site consumption in its city.
The Long Beach City Council voted 5-0 this week to get to that decision.
With the vote, the city became the newest Long Island municipality to reject the licensing and establishment of marijuana dispensaries and places to consume it.
“Opting out gives the city much more flexibility on what it can do,” City Council President John Bendo said during the meeting on Tuesday.
Judi Vining, director of Long Beach Aware, a drug and alcohol prevention group, director remarked, “I want to thank all of you, the council, for making what was a difficult, but important step in protecting our city. This is going to be a very long process and very smart of all of you to take this position, so that we can all wait and see what is coming down from Albany.”
Long Beach held two public hearings to gather input from the community on the issue before deciding to opt out.
Under the state’s marijuana legalization law, municipalities have until Dec. 31 to opt out, or they are permanently opted in by default.