Thursday, October 1, 2026
Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena spoke Friday in New Hyde Park to demand changes to the state's cannabis retail sale legislation.
The state's Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act says that cannabis retailers can't operate within areas that opted out of marijuana sales, yet multiple retailers are opening very close to Hempstead and North Hempstead, which have both opted out.
“We know that more shops will jump onboard and open all along the borderline of our two towns, creating what would be a cannabis district," Clavin said. "It’s unfair to the communities that opted out and even more unfair to residents of those Queens neighborhoods that must bear this burden.”
The MRTA protects schools and houses of worship through proximity guidelines, but does not "protect" municipalities that opted out that neighbor areas that opted in.
“These are brazen attempts to market marijuana in our town by taking advantage of a loophole in the legislation,” DeSena said. “These retailers are targeting the youth of our communities which is exactly what our residents want no part of. We’re calling on our state lawmakers and Governor Hochul to change these guidelines and protect our suburban families as soon as possible.”
Clavin and DeSena spoke of wanting to add a "buffer zone" to give areas that opted out a little more space. The legislation would prevent cannabis retailers from operating at the borders of municipalities and would require these shops to be at least a quarter mile from the borders. This "buffer bill" is being proposed by Senator Jack Martins and Assemblyman Ed Ra.
Martins said allowing cannabis sales on the border of a community that opted out is "plain wrong."
“I thank Supervisors DeSena and Clavin for their efforts to combat the distribution and accessibility of products that challenge public health,” Steve Chassman, executive director of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, said. “LICADD has witnessed the negative impact cannabis use has on young adults and adolescents, and we’re thankful local leaders are pushing for safer monitoring and acclimation of these products.”
