Cannabis Dispensary Battle Now Lies with the State

To the Editor:

On Jan. 4, 2024, Community Board #10 voted not to open weed shops on Tremont Ave. and in Co-op City. This was a victory for our community.

Let me make note that the room was full of cooperators showing concern for our community. The next step is the proposal going to the state. So now, the battle really begins. I urge all to call, write or text. Let the powers that be know your feelings on this matter. Talk about it with your neighbors, in your churches or on the bus. Don’t argue, inform. We must educate each other. Read your Co-op City Times. Stay woke.

—Margaret Chinnery

Grateful

To the Editor

This letter is a thank you to the Board member/s who personally attended the hearing and provided testimony on January 4, regarding the Cannabis Dispensary application pending for 675 Co-op City Blvd. I would like to further thank our Community Board #10 for disapproving the application. We still have to wait for the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to make the final determination.

I would like to thank our Co-op City Times for covering this story, keeping the community informed. We are so fortunate to have our own newspaper; at times, we take this for granted. It is always my hope more members of our community would read the paper and provide written comments.

Lastly, I would like to acknowledge and commend Director Joshua Blake, Janitorial department, and his staff. Director Blake was informed of some concerns in our laundry rooms and those issues were addressed expeditiously. All the hard work is greatly appreciated.

Starting the New Year feeling grateful provides the path for positivity for the rest of the year.

—Ruth Sharma

Stay Alert

To the Editor:

For 50 years plus, Co-op City has been a lovely, peaceful community, but we are again in a fight to maintain our quality of life. There was standing room at the Jan. 4th CB #10 Public Hearing. Many speakers opposed an application for a cannabis retail license at 675 Co-op City Blvd.

My statement was as follows: To those who may not be aware, Co-op City is a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC), consisting of a large percentage of older adults who moved here, aged gracefully, blessed to retire and live independently and peacefully. This is also a working class, low crime environment. The future of our school kids (preK-high school) must be protected.

Many shareholders shared the same opinions and concerns regarding cannabis, marijuana/weed (drugs) – calling it for what it is. We, as shareholders, did not move here to Co-op City because it was a vacancy, it cost us. Therefore, we are here to protect our interest. The facts are the same, whether illegal or legal, license or no license, cannabis can have various mental and physical effects, altered state of mind, short term memory; long term effects may include addictions and bring crime to our community as a result of undesirable behaviors.

The effects can last 2-6 hours more or less; I believe this could possibly explain why the city is experiencing all kinds of strange automobile accidents. Plus, there are accesses to several highways and byways which will bring unwanted traffic into our community. If robbery occurs, there are safety concerns; criminals are in the vicinity of a shopping mall and several high-rises which could place our shareholders in harm’s way. Unquestionably, to install retail shops to sell drugs does not improve nor protect the quality of life and is not in the best interest of our community, period.

We applaud the Community Executive Board 10 for acknowledging the concerns and wishes of the Co-op City community and supporting our opposition for licenses to set up a cannabis retail shop in the midst of our lovely quiet and peaceful community.

––H. Overman