Newfield will not opt out of marijuana sales

On Dec. 9, the Newfield Town Board voted down a proposed resolution to opt out of cannabis sales, forgoing its last chance to prohibit marijuana from being sold in the town.

The Board, which previously discussed the issue at its November meeting, saved discussion on the opt-out law until near the end of its Dec. 9 meeting.

One of the main questions that Newfield — like other municipalities in New York state — faced was whether opting out would be prudent, at least as a short-term measure. Under the law, any municipality that opts out of cannabis sales before Dec. 31 may change its mind and opt in later, but the municipalities that choose not to or do nothing may not opt out later (see tinyurl.com/y2wbe8tq). As such, some proponents of opting out, like Leo Tidd, chair of Newfield’s Planning Board, argued that it would be safe to opt out now and then opt in later once they have more information.

“I don’t envy you guys, having to try to make a decision on this issue,” Tidd said to the Board.

Town Supervisor Michael Allinger read a list of arguments against opting into cannabis sales that he had received from the Planning Board. These arguments included that opting out would allow the town to adopt a “wait and see” approach, that the state is still working out the mechanics of allowing cannabis licenses and that it is unclear whether allowing cannabis sales will be in Newfield’s best interests.

The Board discussed the issue of the tax revenue the town could expect to gain from opting into cannabis sales. Of the 13% sales tax on marijuana, 9% goes to the state and 4% goes to Tompkins County. One-fourth of Tompkins County’s share goes to the county government, and the remaining three-fourths is split between the towns based on marijuana sales. Counties that have opted out of marijuana sales cannot receive any revenue.

“If you don’t have any sales, then you don’t make any money,” Allinger said.

Casey Powers, a member of the Board, said that if Newfield opts out and other municipalities in Tompkins County do not, Newfield will potentially lose out on tax revenue due to consumers buying marijuana in neighboring towns and continuing to do so even after Newfield opts in.

“My feeling is that this is moving a little quickly in New York state, and I think it’s going to generate a lot of money,” Powers said. “Whether that will be generated in the small town of Newfield, I’m not sure.”

Heather McCarty, another member of the Board, said Powers raised a good point, noting that opting out now will result in potential Newfield marijuana dispensaries relocating to other towns.

“To me, I have no interest in opting out,” McCarty said. “It’s a less harmful substance than alcohol, and we already have that, so there’s no difference to me. To turn down a potential possible source of tax revenue, job creation, this seems like a mistake to me.”

Robert Lynch, member of Enfield’s Town Board, attended the meeting and reported that his town’s Town Board had voted on the opt-out measure the previous night, and the measure was defeated. He said two members — Lynch and his fellow Board member Jude Lemke — had voted yes to opt out, while two others — Town Supervisor Stephanie Redmond and retiring Board member Virginia Briant — had voted no. The remaining member, James Ricks, was absent due to illness, but Lynch said Ricks was in favor of opting in.

“Two votes won’t pass an opt-out law, so Enfield is going to remain an opt-in community,” Lynch said.

According to McCarty, the village of Dryden (but not the town) and both the town and village of Groton all voted to opt out of cannabis sales.

At the end of the discussion, the Board put a resolution to opt out to a vote, and Allinger and Laughlin voted to opt out, while everyone else voted against it.

“Well there you go, folks,” Allinger said. “Let’s see what happens.”

In Brief:

Newfield Board of Education holds meeting

The Newfield Central School District’s Board of Education will hold its second meeting of the month at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16. For more information, including the agenda and the Google Meetings link, visit the district website at newfieldschools.org.

Newfield Public Library shows Polar Express

The Newfield Public Library will show “The Polar Express,” the film based on a children’s book about a boy’s train ride to the North Pole, from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 17. The film stars Tom Hanks and is rated G.