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On Monday, the full legislature voted against the sale of legalized marijuana within county lines if measures are passed to legalize it statewide. The vote was unanimous.
The announcement comes in the wake of a new report stating that New Yorkers have been flocking to New England states such as Massachusetts - where marijuana has been legalized - to purchase products.
Marijuana is currently legal in Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont.
New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been pushing for marijuana legalization - even vowing to have it passed by the summer - though the recently approved state budget failed to include such legislature.
Cuomo has said that “in concept, we have an agreement; but that is all about the devil in the details. And that is going to take more time to work out.” He and New York lawmakers are expected to begin negotiations later this month.
Smart Approaches to Marijuana New York CEO and former drug policy advisor to President Obama, Kevin Sabet issued a statement on the Nassau County Legislature's unanimous vote to ban the sale of commercial marijuana in Nassau County.
"We applaud the Nassau County Legislature's courageous stance against the sale of commercial pot because it will protect public health and safety," Sabet said. "Now the county's representatives in Albany should follow suit and publicly reject the state's push to bring another dangerous, mind-altering product to market.
"The sale of commercial pot isn't a boon for tax revenue or those seeking social justice. It has been proven to drive up costs for county taxpayers and businesses who are left to shoulder the higher law enforcement, social services and public health costs. Nassau's parents, doctors, addiction professionals and community leaders have all been steadfast in their opposition.
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