Marijuana product at a dispensary in California, where recreational marijuana was legal first. (Credit: Dank Depot/Flickr)
New York State has tentatively approved the first recreational marijuana dispensary in Riverhead. But the town’s zoning code won’t allow it because the shop’s proposed location is too close to residences.
It’s a problem that has been cited repeatedly since Riverhead adopted its zoning and land development regulations for retail marijuana sales in November 2022.
Joe Lustberg, who, along with his brother Sean Lustberg, sought to locate their state-licensed marijuana dispensary in Riverhead, said there is “nothing” available in the town.
The Lustbergs and other speakers at last week’s public meeting on the issue singled out a town regulation requiring a minimum of 1,000 feet between pot shops and residential dwellings as a big part of the problem.
“I think the residential zoning is not a great idea,” said Sean Lustberg. “I don’t see why it needs to be there. The state doesn’t have that. I think it should be changed, if not gotten rid of, or reduced drastically to 250 or 500 feet.”
Local officials don’t disagree, and estimate that, under current code, there are only four