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New Lebanon adjusts cannabis regulations
Jammel Cutler reports in Columbia-Greene Media that the town of New Lebanon is tweaking its cannabis regulations, now not allowing any retail dispensary or cannabis consumption facility within 500 feet of any town park or national or state historic site. And the town is also limiting the hours any cannabis facility operates to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. The town also has new regulations about odor and parking. But they don't have any applicants for licenses in New Lebanon. New Lebanon Town Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling said, "We’re open to having dispensaries in the area. I’m surprised nobody has applied yet.... It will be a great source of revenue, and none of us on the board feel that there is a real issue with marijuana, especially when you do it safely, be of age, and not drive when you’re under the influence. The revenue it will bring to the town will be huge.” There is a a 13 percent sales tax on cannabis in New York, with four percent going to the local municipality. But the state has very slowly rolled out the retail stores, and more than two and a half years after legalization, there are only a few stores open statewide, and none locally. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.