Politics & Government
'Positive Note' For Long Beach Cannabis Opt In, But Next Step Unclear
Advocates, including Beryl Solomon, addressed the City Council on Tuesday for the legalization of marijuana dispensaries.
LONG BEACH, NY — The topic of approving cannabis dispensaries wasn't on the Long Beach City Council agenda Tuesday night, but that didn't stop a handful of advocates, led by Beryl Solomon, founder of Poplar, an e-commerce cannabis destination.
Solomon and several other community members spoke in the "Good and Welfare" portion of the hearing.
"On a positive note, there were lots of voices," she told Patch. "In the past, it's been less voices and more applause."
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She said all the speakers were in favor of the city opting in for dispensaries. Solomon said it was important to go to the city council meeting, the last of the year, as it would be packed.
While council members are not required to respond during the "Good and Welfare" segments, Solomon said they did engage with speakers a few times.
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One council member, according to Solomon, suggested the state "reevaluate" the cannabis law for clarity.
But Solomon, a Long Beach resident said, "that isn't the way that it works. It's shortsighted."
Parts of her efforts included an analysis study of how much revenue the city would potentially make.
Although she appreciates the lawmakers taking time to question the matter, "it also shows their naivety."
With registering for the next round of cannabis shop locations, likely in the spring, Solomon reminds council members that time is of the essence.
"There remains no response," Solomon said. "That's the most frustrating thing."
If Long Beach doesn't opt in by the January council meeting, Soloman said, entrepreneurs are likely to look elsewhere to start a cannabis business.
"It's not a hot-button, dramatic issue that the council is afraid it is," she said. "They're nervous to say 'Yes, we do want it in our town.'"
It's not known if the opt-in issue will officially be on the Jan. 3 agenda. Solomon also does not know what her next step will be.
"There's an opportunity to continue to advocate," she said. "But, the intention is not to slam up against a brick wall."
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