Colleen Meeder

SHERMAN — Following a public forum October and previous discussions at Village of Sherman board meetings, Mayor Colleen Meeder presented a summary of her notes on cannabis retail sales and on-site consumption at the Village Board meeting on Nov. 3.

Meeder began by reminding trustees that the question is not if the village is pro or con regarding marijuana.

“The question is will we adopt a local law to opt out of retail dispensaries and on-site consumption,” she said. “To adopt a law, you must identify the purpose: what is the intent of the law? what are we trying to prevent?”

Meeder went on to say that because, legally, marijuana can be smoked, vaped, consumed in edible form and applied topically.

“The impacts of legalization, including the black market, are here regardless.”

The availability of clean, safe, quality cannabis through legal retail sales is not the cause of increased black market sales, Meeder said. Since cannabis cannot be grown and sold without a license, all other sales are illegal, she added.

Meeder reminded trustees that it is important to separate perception from facts.

“The perception of who these businesses will attract is based on limited knowledge and prejudices from one’s own personal experience,” she said.

While some residents have said retail sale and consumption sites attract “riffraff,” the reality is they attract traffic which includes doctors, lawyers, engineers, professionals, as well as teachers, soccer moms, and owners of arthritic pets, she said.

One resident who spoke at the Oct. 6 forum asked, “Why, if you’ll be able to grow it in your home (in 2022), would you need to buy it from a dispensary?”

Meeder said that dispensaries provides safe, legal cannabis in a variety of types and flavors. Consumers can be comfortable knowing that it is grown, harvested and handled in ways that prevent mold, mildew and other pathogens, she added. Meeder then used the analogy of a bakery selling cakes to explain why people may prefer retail dispensaries.

“Everyone can bake a Betty Crocker cake at home with Pillsbury frosting,” she said. “That is the comparable experience of growing it in your basement or preferring to purchase from a retail dispensary.”

A person needs to have the secure space and ability to grow their own plants, Meeder said. Knowledge of when to harvest, the ripening of buds, drying and curing for use, as well as processing to produce edibles and topical ointments are all considerations, she said.

“Retail dispensaries offer a variety of products in a variety of flavors and forms, in a controlled (regulated) environment, that provides the confidence of safety in a quality product,” Meeder said.

At their meeting on Oct. 6, Village Board members decided to send a survey to all residents. The survey asked the question: Should the village opt out of cannabis retail sales and on sight consumption? The survey letter reminded residents that “cannabis possession and consumption was legalized throughout New York State and marijuana is legal to be smoked in all areas where smoking tobacco is permissible.” Furthermore, “municipalities cannot opt out of commercial growth and legal personal growth, possession and consumption.”

Meeder reported the results of the survey. Out of 131 total responses, 78 respondents indicated they were in support of retail cannabis dispensaries in the village; 55 indicated they were in support of on-site consumption in the village; and 53 indicated they were not in support of either retail dispensaries or on-site consumption in the village.

Those in favor of cannabis retail dispensaries and on-site consumption cited such reasons as it will fill empty store fronts, it may bring traffic and business/economic development to the village, and may provide an alternative treatment for health issues, Meeder said.

Those opposed stated they had concerns about the type of people it would draw, the addictiveness of and effects of marijuana on families and children, the perception of Sherman as a “drug” community, along with other statements related to “the ignorance of the board and the idiot mayor,” Meeder told trustees.

Colleen Meeder (4)