We, the undersigned members of the Nyack community, are coming together to address an urgent matter regarding the location of cannabis dispensaries in our village. While we acknowledge the legal status of cannabis in New York and support its responsible adult use, we believe that Nyack must adopt clear guidelines and ordinances to regulate dispensary placement in a way that protects our youth. 

Cannabis dispensary distance laws exist to reduce youth exposure, but placing them in the heart of downtown Nyack contradicts that purpose. This area isn’t just a commercial hub—it’s where our children and families walk, bike, and spend time together while going to local shops and restaurants. After school, our kids gather downtown to visit the library, engage in extracurricular activities and attend after school programs. On weekends, children and teens meet up for recreational activities, whether it’s heading to the park, going to music classes, grabbing a slice of pizza or enjoying ice cream with their friends. 

Currently, there are no established local guidelines dictating where dispensaries can operate in the village of Nyack beyond the state’s minimum distance requirements. These regulations alone do not fully protect our children within the parameters of Nyack—especially when dispensaries are placed in areas where minors regularly congregate. 

New York State mandates that cannabis dispensaries be at least 500 feet from schools and 200 feet from places of worship. New York law also prohibits a dispensary of the same type (i.e. medical or recreational) from being within 2,000 feet of another dispensary of the same type. However, different types of dispensaries can be located near one another, creating an oversaturation of cannabis businesses in a small village like Nyack. Therefore, simply meeting the minimum legal distance does not mean these locations align with the state’s broader objective of safeguarding children’s health and well-being. We have a greater responsibility to protect our children by ensuring these establishments are kept away from places where young people learn, play, and grow. 

New York State has empowered municipalities to adopt local regulations on where, when, and how the dispensaries may operate. The local Nyack government has failed to go beyond the bare minimum set by the state, neglecting its responsibility to proactively protect our children and teenagers. By relying solely on state regulations—without considering the unique needs of Nyack—they have left our youth vulnerable to the negative impacts of poorly placed cannabis dispensaries. We strongly oppose this inaction and demand the following:

1. That the mayor and village board of trustees implement stricter regulations to prevent dispensaries from operating in the downtown area which is heavily trafficked by children and families.
   
   
2. That the mayor and village board of trustees formally request the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to restrict cannabis dispensary permits in downtown Nyack, as their presence contradicts the state's commitment to protecting minors from undue exposure and influence.
   
   
3. That the mayor and village board of trustees exercise their statutory authority and formally request that the OCM deny the pending applications for a medical cannabis license at 80 Main Street and a recreational cannabis license at 162 Main Street. These locations are in a uniquely sensitive area of the Village where youth frequently gather, making them unsuitable for cannabis dispensaries.
    

By signing this petition, you are standing up for our community’s children and urging our local government to prioritize their well-being by implementing stricter dispensary regulations. Let’s protect Nyack’s future together.