There is fierce backlash over a proposed marijuana dispensary in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

“We do not want this 6,000-foot dispensary cannabis superstore plopped in the middle of Bay Ridge,” Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said.


What You Need To Know

  • Lawmakers and Bay Ridge residents identified several schools and houses of worship within 1,000 feet of the proposed cannabis shop

  • Under current law, marijuana shops cannot be within 500 feet of a school or within 200 feet of a house of worship

  • There are currently 137 licensed marijuana dispensaries in New York state, including 62 across the five boroughs and nine in Brooklyn

“Get these marijuana dispensaries out of here,” echoed Republican state Assemblymember Michael Tannousis.

Dozens of local elected leaders and community members gathered outside the currently empty, 6,000-square-foot space on Third Avenue Monday to make their voices heard.

“Not in our neighborhood, not in our backyard. I’m against it as it is totally, but at least not in a residential neighborhood and such a family-oriented neighborhood,” lifelong Bay Ridge resident Steven Sideratos said.

Lawmakers and Bay Ridge residents identified several schools and houses of worship within 1,000 feet of the proposed cannabis shop.

Under current law, marijuana shops cannot be within 500 feet of a school or within 200 feet of a house of worship, which this is not.

“I have children and I don’t want them to get involved in this or friends that get involved in this. This is just as bad as being an alcoholic driving behind the wheel,” Ingrid Reichel, who was also born and raised in Bay Ridge, said.

But not everyone in Bay Ridge is opposed to the dispensary. Some believe it will benefit the neighborhood.

“I want it to be accessible to people, I want it to be legal and I want everyone to see it’s not some terrible thing,” Giovanni Taveras, who moved to Bay Ridge two years ago, said. “Not only would it bring in more business, but it would pave a way to show other people that you can do things legally.”

The local community board voted against the shop, and the Buildings Department issued a partial stop work order over the weekend. But it’s up to the state Office of Cannabis Management to decide the shop’s fate.

In a joint letter to the office, some local elected leaders wrote in part, “The establishment of an adult-use retail dispensary at this location, where there is heavy foot traffic of students daily, would result in the increased exposure of cannabis to minors.”

There are currently 137 licensed marijuana dispensaries in New York state, including 62 across the five boroughs and nine in Brooklyn.

There is no word on when the Office of Cannabis Management will make a decision.

The owner of the proposed dispensary is listed as an LLC. NY1 was unable to reach anyone from the company for comment.