Bay Ridge parents, politicians, and civic leaders are strongly opposing the proposed opening of a cannabis shop in their neighborhood near multiple schools and houses of worship. US Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, along with state Assembly members Michael Tannousis and Alec Brook-Krasny, have written a letter to the Office of Cannabis Management expressing their firm opposition to the pot shop pitch for 84-12 3rd Ave. They argue that the dispensary would have a negative impact on the community’s quality of life, highlighting the number of schools and churches within a 1.5-block radius of the proposed address.
More than 200 parents attended a public hearing at the Kaloidis school to object to the proposed cannabis store in their neighborhood. While opponents do not have the legal power to block weed dispensaries, they can express their opinion to the OCM. The lawmakers stress that the proposed location would expose minors to cannabis due to the heavy foot traffic of students in the area, despite regulations and age restrictions. They urge the agency to deny the opening of the dispensary in consideration of the disruption it would cause to nearby schools and houses of worship.
Community Board 10 also voted against the planned weed shop, once the site of the Pilo Arts Salon, citing the large number of students from nearby schools and houses of worship. The board notes that the area has a high density of foot traffic from students, estimating that there are approximately 8,000 students in close proximity to the proposed location. Additionally, the surrounding area is primarily residential and the size of the premises would encompass three storefronts, taking up a significant portion of that part of Third Avenue.
The firm seeking to open the cannabis shop is RMAN Holdings, with principals including Georgio Matesi as a 51% owner and Amir Carvan and Edgar Kleydman. While municipalities across the state have the option to opt-out of opening licensed weed shops, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and former Mayor Bill de Blasio have embraced cannabis commerce. City and state authorities have been taking action to shut down illegal pot shops in Bay Ridge, including the infamous “Gelato” store on 86th Street, as well as others across the city.
According to the Office of Cannabis Management website, there are currently 137 licensed marijuana dispensaries in New York State, including 62 in New York City. Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams recently announced that authorities have padlocked over 500 illicit pot shops under a strengthened state law. However, the pushback against the proposed cannabis shop in Bay Ridge continues, with parents, politicians, and civic leaders urging regulators to reject the establishment in their community given its proximity to schools and houses of worship.
