By Lindsay Press
The Town of Islip will hold a public hearing on April 8 at 5:30 p.m. to give residents the chance to express their opinions about opting into the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), which made recreational cannabis legal in New York State. Opting in would allow the town to open retail cannabis shops.
Councilmembers Michael McElwee and John M. Lorenzo voted in favor of having a public hearing on this topic. McElwee told Long Island Life & Politics that the purpose of the public hearing is not to legalize cannabis on main streets or near schools. The cannabis shops would be meant for people 21 years old and over to “safely purchase cannabis.”
McElwee also said he would also like to see the creation of a task force to shut down anyone selling cannabis illegally and prevent children from purchasing cannabis.
“We want the feedback from the community,” Lorenzo told Long Island Life & Politics. He also noted that the Town of Babylon has made a little over $2 million in revenue from the town’s cannabis store, while also mentioning the retail cannabis stores that are popping up in Brookhaven and Riverhead. “It is something that is surrounding us in the Town of Islip,” said Lorenzo.
When asked about his opinion, Councilman James P. O’Connor said, “I am listening very closely to what the community has to say. I’m going to keep an open mind at the public hearing and make my decision.”
Long Island Progressive Coalition (LIPC) Board Member Chef Ali said his organization wants to capitalize on New York’s stance on legalized marijuana by taking it to the next level to ensure Long Island residents have access to legal cannabis products. (The state legalized marijuana on March 31, 2021).
“The MRTA was written to provide social, cultural and economic relief; job opportunities, support for infrastructure projects, and establish generational equity that is long past due on Long Island,” said Ali, who is also the owner of HiFive Edible Wonders.
When asked about the economic benefits of legalized cannabis, Taylor Randi, a representative from New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), provided the following information to Long Island Life & Politics:
- In 2024, retail sales for cannabis were $869.4 million
- In January 2025, sales surpassed $1.6 billion overall
- The year-to-date number sees January 2025 at $220.1 million, which is a quarter of the overall sales of 2024
- From the last 12 months, 47% of cannabis sales come from Long Island, Queens, and Manhattan
“The milestone is a testament to the resilience, hard work, and innovation of cannabis entrepreneurs across New York,” OCM Acting Executive Director Felicia A.B. Reid told Spectrum News. “New Yorkers have placed their trust in a market that prioritizes equity–and OCM remains committed to supporting that mission.”
Randi was also asked about the negative effects of cannabis use, such as depression, anxiety, and compromised motor skills. “Cannabis, like any substance, should be consumed responsibly, and individuals should be aware of the potential health risks—especially for those under 21, pregnant or nursing, or with certain medical conditions,” Randi told Long Island Life & Politics.
“The New York State Office of Cannabis Management strongly encourages consumers 21 [and over] to purchase only from licensed, legal dispensaries, where products are lab-tested for safety, potency, and quality,” Randi added. “New York’s legal cannabis market is designed to protect public health and ensure access to regulated, tested products. We remain focused on public health and safety education so New Yorkers can make informed and responsible choices.”
“Legal cannabis is here, and New York is a desirable market,” said Ali. “We deserve to have that money come directly to use for things we need. In other areas that have opted in, the community as a whole sees the results and builds its economy.”
Ali spoke of being willing to hear from those who may not want those types of shops in Islip. “It’d be great to have a space where we could understand clearly why, which the hearing will provide. While we complain about the weight of increased taxes, new tariffs, and other living expenses, walking away from this opportunity again without a proper discussion is incompetence at the very least.”
The public hearing will take place at Islip Town Hall, located at 655 Main Street in Islip, starting at 5:30 p.m.