Village of Pittsford shares unofficial results of cannabis referendum

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (WHEC) — Unofficial cannabis referendum results are leading toward retail dispensaries and consumption sites not being allowed in the Village of Pittsford, though there are still absentee ballots.

Village residents were able to vote from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Village Hall on Main Street.

Voters were asked:

• Proposal 1 — Shall the Village of Pittsford allow retail cannabis dispensaries to locate and operate within the boundaries of the Village of Pittsford?
• Proposal 2 — Shall the Village of Pittsford allow on-site cannabis consumption establishments to locate and operate within the boundaries of the Village of Pittsford?

The votes tallied Tuesday night showed 98 votes for yes on Proposal 1 and 143 no votes and for Proposal 2, 75 "yes" votes and 166 "no" votes.

The official results will be posted in one week to allow absentee votes to be counted. As long as ballots were postmarked by Feb. 8, they are to be counted.

In past elections, absentee voters have leaned more liberal than in-person voters.

If both questions are denied, no further action will be taken. However, if one or both are approved, a process to amend the Pittsford Village Code will start. However, this process can take up to two years before sales start, as public meetings and hearings will take place to decide specifications.

Click here for a list of localities in New York that have either opted in or out of cannabis sales.