I am writing to draw attention to the recent Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees decision to opt in for cannabis dispensaries, which reverses the 2021 opt out vote. The trustees Dec. 13 vote disregards respectful requests to table the decision from our schools superintendent, chief of police, local health professionals, and many, many residents. It also binds our Village to cannabis dispensaries indefinitely, as all opt-ins are nonreversible.
Thankfully, NYS law allows the decision about cannabis dispensaries to revert back to the voters of Dobbs Ferry via a permissive referendum.
We are petitioning the Village trustees to have a village-wide referendum on cannabis dispensaries. The petition requires the signatures from 20% of all Dobbs voters (approximately 1,600 people) who were registered for the most recent election (Nov. 8, 2022). Our signed petitions need to be submitted to the village clerk by Tuesday, Jan. 17.
If you’re interested in signing our petition or volunteering to help us, please email Cirstin at cirstin.conneely@gmail.com or texting or calling 646-504-8124.
This petition is about fairness and good governance, not attitudes regarding cannabis. It is good governance to wait and see how neighboring towns fare against the well-documented negative impact cannabis dispensaries inflict on local communities. Further, it is good governance to opt in only after more completely formulated policies and regulation mechanisms are created and implemented by New York State. Why the rush, esteemed trustees?
Thank you for your kind attention to this critical issue facing our village.
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