The debate surrounding the future of cannabis in Ellenville returned to the Village Board on Monday during its June 13 meeting. Village Planner Dan Shuster appeared to report on ideas for a local law governing cannabis dispensaries and on-site consumption shops and restaurants.

Mayor Jeff Kaplan made an introductory point that the board was determined to keep dispensaries restricted to Route 209 (Main Street). “Because of the traffic they may draw, we would want them to be on the main road.” It can be assumed that any sites like that will need to have plenty of parking spaces.

Shuster appeared to have gone with stricter rules than either the mayor or most of the Village Board would agree with: a 9 p.m. closing time, for example, brought the inevitable comparison with a bar or restaurant selling alcoholic drinks. Mayor Kaplan noted that, first of all, New York State’s Cannabis Control Board has yet to reveal rules and regulations governing these aspects of now legal cannabis. Secondly, Kaplan said, “How do we draw a distinction between a bar and a cafe where cannabis can be consumed.” If bars can stay open until 2 a.m., then why not cannabis cafes?

A similar issue arose with a proposed 100-foot distance restriction on cannabis cafes from any residential lot. It was pointed out that currently there are people living in apartments right above establishments selling liquor.

Another proposed restriction brought a quick calculation from Councilmember T.J. Briggs. “A 500-foot distance separating any cannabis business from any other cannabis cafe or dispensary would pretty much rule out Canal Street. Is that what we want?”

Deputy Mayor Ray Younger did admit that he was uncomfortable with having cannabis sold anywhere downtown, or perhaps in Ellenville. However, Kaplan observed that “that ship has sailed.” Any downtown district with restaurants, theaters, wine and liquor stores, even bookshops, can surely host a cannabis cafe.

Kaplan noted that cannabis cafes will surely be drawing a “new” crowd and they will be spending their money. The village wants them to come and spend money within its borders. Moreover, the mayor noted that “you can ask anyone, law enforcement, whatever, but alcohol is 100 percent worse than cannabis in terms of violence.”

Younger added that he was not in favor of alcohol sales either.

Meanwhile, it is assumed that the state will prohibit cannabis sales or consumption within 500 feet of a school, and within 200 feet, as with alcohol consumption, from a church; a property that is owned by that church will also apply. Rented storefront churches are not in the same category.

Until state rules finally emerge about all this, the village will deal with it by having two local laws. Dan Shuster will go back and reconsider things. Kaplan explained, “One law [will be] for the dispensaries, creating a planning overlay in which they can be set up.” The second law will pertain to “on premises consumption.”

Discussion will continue on this topic.