Letter: Stand Up and Choose Legal Cannabis Sales | Huntington Now

By Douglas Stephen Hoppe

The City of Huntington would benefit greatly from opting-in for legal cannabis sales, and
Hunter Gross is the only person and candidate brave enough to speak openly about it.
I never believed the myths and lies that legalizing cannabis would ruin our community. As
active medical and recreational user, I knew the truth about marijuana and never got into it
the falsehoods that said crime would increase, families would be destroyed and drug use would increase
would soar. The fact is, none of this is true and there is no verifiable data to back it up
such ideas. Cities and countries around the world have legalized – or decriminalized –
Cannabis; its effects were largely harmless and in most cases undeniably beneficial. It is
has been scientifically proven time and time again that cannabis is less harmful to individuals and society
than alcohol that is ubiquitous.
Among the many benefits of cannabis legalization are small business opportunities –
especially for companies owned by minorities – tax revenue, job growth and
Racial justice. People of color are four times more likely to be arrested than whites
Cannabis use, although almost the same percentage is used by both groups, they say
ACLU – that is unscrupulous! The legalization of cannabis and the “opting-in” to the new laws
will play a role in closing this racial segregation, keeping families together, and making time for the
Police to focus on more serious violent crimes across our city.
From an economic point of view, the benefits of cannabis legalization are far-reaching. The CATO
The institute has forecast that states are losing hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes each year
this multi-billion dollar industry. Colorado raises $ 20 million a month, Oregon raises $ 10 million a month
Millions a month, and California is raising a whopping $ 50 million a month. These numbers are
since the first year of legalization of every state and have been increasing ever since. Local
Entrepreneurs and small businesses benefit most from such an enterprise, and those in ours
big city deserve to reap the same rewards. HD needs to take proactive steps to help
small locally owned cannabis companies are successfully competing in the new legal market.
New York State recently legalized the sale of recreational cannabis to people over the age of 21.
Townships now have the choice between “opting in” or “out” of the option for storefronts,
sell cannabis legally. The problem is simple, either HD opts for convenience
Locals to help neighborhood small businesses and job growth or to sign out to force through
Huntington residents to spend their money elsewhere. That means illegal on the black market
or long trips to opt-in locations like NYC or The Shinnecock Reservation. Why should places
like NYC being the sole breadwinner of the over 60,000 jobs and billions of dollars expected
come with the cannabis industry? Huntington’s people deserve an equal chance to thrive
especially after COVID-19, which has seen a surge in cannabis use to cope with the stress
the pandemic.
The City of Huntington is in a unique position to be a leading, if not THE leading, progressive city
Cannabis Politics and Legal Cannabis Selling on Long Island – Then Reap the Economy

and social benefits of such a decision. But our city council stopped us
Prosperity and freedom. The members either remained silent on this issue or spoke out against it
In 2019 they even voted for an opt-out. Instead of making unilateral decisions, the city council should
ask what their constituents really think of this issue. When I emailed them my thoughts too
Cannabis policy, despite my expertise, they did not ask me to meet to discuss things
the topic and the willingness to discuss problems amicably. It appears that many of our elected officials
crouch before the tough and sometimes controversial decisions that are required to make ours
Community.
While a city council race was in progress, I was hoping to hear more candidates proudly support
agree. Disappointingly, however, I only see the faces of people who refuse to accept a strong one
Attitude on such an important issue. However, Hunter Gross is the only candidate for the city council
that is an open and avid supporter of consenting to legal cannabis sales. From what I’ve seen, I am
I am confident that he has carefully studied the data and understands that opt-in is the best way to go
forward for our city. He was open to discussing ideas and problems with myself and others
in the hope of making the best informed decisions possible. The other candidates for
The city council avoided an open discussion on opting-in. They seem to be waiting for it
See the tides change instead of taking a firm stand for the support of the community they want
represented.
I’ve spoken to my neighbors and met countless small business owners in our area; the
The people of Huntington are ready to see their support policies for the city council that will help us
Community thrive. I’m a new cannabis entrepreneur (www.stashmaven.com) and I have mine
Finger on the pulse of the legalization scene of Long Island and especially Huntington’s since I.
currently work from home in Greenlawn. I think we deserve the money and freedom we have
comes with hugging cannabis instead of avoiding it. We are ready to see the people we choose
represent the taxpayer and do what is in HD’s best interests. We, the people of
Huntington has spoken and it seems like only one is listening: Hunter Gross.

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