Westchester Reporter

YONKERS, NY – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today applauded the passage of a smoke shop moratorium he introduced last week to the Yonkers City Council.  The moratorium, approved unanimously by the Yonkers City Council Tuesday evening, establishes a temporary ban on the issuance of building permits and certificates of occupancy for the construction, establishment, and operation of new smoke or vape shops in the City of Yonkers.

“We are not against marijuana, we know it is legal, but no one has obtained the proper license to sell it here in the City of Yonkers,” saidMayor Spano. “Until New York State issues adequate regulations regarding the sale of marijuana, we need to prohibit any expansion of these shops in our City. Unregulated cannabis can pose a potential health hazard, it’s being targeted toward our children and we need to do our part to safeguard a better quality of life for all our residents.”

“I have been actively working with Mayor Mike Spano, community organizations, law enforcement agencies, and concerned citizens to devise effective strategies to ensure the well-being of our residents,” said Yonkers City Council Majority Whip John Rubbo. “By imposing this moratorium, we send a clear message that the City of Yonkers is firm in its commitment to upholding the law, promoting public safety, and ensuring that our community remains a desirable place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Yonkers City Council Majority Leader Tasha Diaz said, “As the Majority Leader of the Yonkers City Council, I’m proud of this legislation as it protects our children and allows us to maintain safeguards around keeping our community safe.” 

Yonkers City Council Minority Leader Mike Breen said, “Those that choose to sell marijuana illegally must be held accountable. Many of these bad actors are targeting our children with unregulated products which have been laced with other chemicals or otherwise not subject to any safety measures.  It is our duty to protect them.”

Yonkers Police Commissioner Chris Sapienza said, “Thank you to Mayor Spano’s administration and the Yonkers City Council for taking swift action on this important quality of life issue that continues to be a top complaint from our residents. Until laws and regulations are updated on the State level that is in tune with the current trends in this industry, we will be forced to take the appropriate action locally to protect our community.”

The moratorium will be in effect through November 1, 2023, after which the Yonkers City Council will need to pass additional local laws, strengthening protections and limiting where the stores can open.

In March, Mayor Spano passed legislation updating the City of Yonkers’ current public nuisance abatement law to add any offenses involving the illegal sale of marijuana. The revised law enacts a point system, to hold owners accountable. Those in violation would receive a certain amount of points. Any owner with more than six points in a 12-month period would be subject to shutdown by the police along with loftier fines.

To report a crime in progress, call 9-1-1. Residents can share anonymous information with the Yonkers Police by submitting a tip online atwww.yonkersny.gov/ypd or texting the keyword ‘YPD’ plus your tip to CRIMES (274637).

Original source can be found here.