Riverhead board to hold hearing this month on proposed rules for cannabis retail, use

Riverhead officials will this month put before the public proposed regulations outlining marijuana sales and consumption within the town in accordance with the state law that legalized cannabis use last year.

The regulations, which were discussed at the Riverhead Town Board’s Sept. 1 work session at Town Hall, include rules on how cannabis sellers can operate.

Riverhead Supervisor Yvette Aguiar told Newsday on Friday that the legislation was necessary in part because the town has seen little guidance from New York State on how to proceed with the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act — passed in March 2021 — that allows for cannabis sales and use. In particular, she said, there has been little direction in outlining how, when and where cannabis sales and use can take place.

“The state has not provided us any guidance, or [indicated] whether they’re going to provide the regulations, so putting the resolution forward is acting proactively,” Aguiar said.

Under the proposed regulations, cannabis retail and on-site consumption establishments would be permitted in only certain sections of town. Those locations include: Riverhead’s Business Center, shopping centers, destination retail centers, rural corridors, the village center, downtown centers, the Peconic River Community and other business districts.

The legislation also states that retail or on-site consumption establishments cannot be located within 1,000 feet of the property lines of any school, library or day-care facility. Such sites also cannot be located within 500 feet of any town beach, playground or community center, and children’s amusement center.

Board members at the work session Thursday said they felt the legislation was ready for public discussion and necessary so the town can comply with the state cannabis law.

Councilman Ken Rothwell said he wanted more clarity about the “saturation rate” of how many such cannabis outlets the town wants to allow in Riverhead.

However, Councilman Frank Beyrodt said while having too many stores would be “bad economics,” the market itself would sort out such problems.

“Eventually, if there are multiple sites, each of them are getting less and less hits, so to speak. So I think the nature of business itself, the market will dictate that,” Beyrodt said.

The legislation is expected to be posted for discussion at a public hearing later this month, Aguiar said, adding it could potentially be posted at the board’s next regular meeting Wednesday.