Syracuse Common Councilors are expected to approve two measures Monday that aim to crack down on illegal marijuana dispensaries. The shops are blamed for creating quality of life problems in several neighborhoods.
One of the measures is a local law that needs a second vote from councilors to take effect. That one is directed at illegal storefronts that aren’t designed or zoned for retail operations, whether they sell cannabis or not. The other measure is a city ordinance would penalize everyone else. Director of Code Enforcement Jake Dishaw told councilors the city needs more leverage.
"Basically, the cannabis law applies to the places operating as dispensaries, they're not even existing retail places. But some of you even complained about the existing retail food stores that are suspected to be doing this. This will give us a tool to address those with their certificate of use."
The city requires a Certificate of Use, or C of U, for establishments ranging from restaurants and bars to food stores and gas stations. The new ordinance calls for a penalty of four points for anyone selling cannabis, which is still not legal to sell anywhere Central New York because the state has yet to approve any licenses here. Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens says the new measures will help Dishaw and his team stay on top of cannabis sales activity.
"It's enough for Jake and his team working with SPD [Syracuse Police Department] to chase the newly established places that pop up and move all over the city once we put pressure on them. Now, we're dealing with people who already have a C of U who start brokering this product."
The city can also apply points for recurring criminal activity, and shut down an establishment once they accrue 12 points in a 12 month period. Some councilors questioned how code enforcement will know if dispensaries or other storefronts are actually selling marijuana before taking action that could potentially close their business. Jake Dishaw says many places aren’t even trying to hide it.
"It's blatant. They have menus where they're really, really descriptive of the chemical make-up of the things that they're selling, because that's what these consumers want."
Councilor Jimmy Monto says he’s not opposed to the sale or use of cannabis. He, like his fellow councilors, just wants some regulation.
"I had one situation where there was a restaurant next door to a place that popped up. People were parking in the restaurant's parking lot and taking up space. When it comes to the quality of life in a neighborhood, we need to have a standard."
Monto expects the problems will diminish once the state cannabis licensing system is in place. The state has launched a license verification tool that informs consumers that a dispensary is selling legal, tested, safer products. In a release, Governor Kathy Hochul says the state will work with municipalities to shut down illicit operators. Syracuse officials say so far, they’ve been struggling to control storefronts without any guidance from the state.
Councilors are expected to vote on the local law and ordinance Monday at 1 p.m.
