Dobbs Ferry Mayor Says Cannabis Vote Is 'True Expression Of Democracy'

CORRECTION: This article has been modified from its original version to say that Dobbs Ferry was the village holding the permissive referendum, not Irvington. Patch regrets the error.

DOBBS FERRY, NY — While the results of the special referendum on cannabis dispensaries in Dobbs Ferry are not yet official, the village’s mayor said the law passed by the Board of Trustees will not go into effect and dispensaries will not be permitted.

“This referendum was a true expression of democracy, and it was gratifying to see that over 2,000 voters participated in the process,” Mayor Vincent Rossillo said in a statement to Patch.

He also thanked the village staff for helping to have a transparent and information election and the Westchester County Board of Elections for its support and guidance.

According to unofficial results from the county Board of Elections, 1,448 Dobbs Ferry voters voted against allowing the retail sale of cannabis products in the village — or 67 percent. Only 710 — or 33 percent — voted in favor.

Dobbs Ferry had originally opted out of allowing retail cannabis establishments. That allowed the village to keep its options open to changing their decision later.

In December, the trustees adopted a local law that rescinded the original prohibition.

The new local law was subject to a permissive referendum, meaning the public got to have the final say.