Despite getting proper town and state approvals, Brookhaven Town’s first legal cannabis dispensary could be forced to shut down after receiving a cease and desist letter from its property managers.
On June 9, the same day Strong Strains held its soft opening, attorney Brian Egan sent the business a letter saying it was violating Northgate Plaza at Stony Brook Condominium’s property rules.
According to the letter, the East Setauket property does not allow “activities which violate federal laws.” Even though New York State and Brookhaven support legal adult-use marijuana shops, federal law does not.
Egan said the property only allows for “offices, research facilities, laboratories, or light industrial purposes or any other use and occupancy first approved in writing.”
“The use of the unit as a cannabis dispensary does not comply with these approved uses and you did not receive written approval from the Association for this nonconforming use,” the letter reads in part.
“If you fail to comply with these demands, the Association and its constituent owners are prepared to pursue all legal remedies,” the letter reads in part.
The letter got a mixed reaction from town residents.
“If it’s a legal business, let them make money,” South Setauket resident Charlie Garra said.
“Having it from a licensed place, it’s a lot better than getting it off the street,” Port Jefferson resident Matt Wise said.
Strong Strains has an operating license from the state, according to the New York Office of Cannabis Management database. News 12 reached out to the New York State Office of Cannabis Management for comment but has not yet heard back.
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico told News 12 in a statement: “This owner has all the necessary approvals from Brookhaven Town. The issues between him and the industrial condominium association are a private conflict in which the town has no role.”
The owner of Strong Strains has not yet responded to News 12’s request for comment, but according to its social media pages, the business is still planning to hold its grand opening this Saturday, just days before the property manager said it has to shut down.
The attorney for the property has told Strong Strains to close by next Monday just days after the cannabis dispensary is set to hold its grand opening. Read More
