BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WBNG) — The Binghamton City Council invited the public to a town hall on Monday night to discuss legislation proposed last fall to crack down on illegal cannabis sales.

Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham introduced the cannabis legislation in October 2024. Members of the public took the opportunity to share different viewpoints on the matter with the council.

The meeting fostered discussions about equity and potential Fourth Amendment rights infringements based on how the legislation is currently written.

“If we could do a better job at making sure all the actors in the playing field could follow those rules, I think we could grow the cannabis economy quicker,” said the Executive Director of the cannabis association, Damian Cornwell. “I think we could invest more in the local municipalities faster.“

Cornwell said it’s an inequitable market when certain shops that supposedly aren’t selling cannabis get more significant tax breaks and permitted advertising and signage for their businesses.

Residents agree.

“I think we owe it to the city, and to the history on the war on drugs, and the damage that caused, inequalities that that produced, to move very deliberately,” said resident Andrew Pragacz.

However, residents expressed concern over some of the legislation’s wording, saying it could violate constitutional rights.

This specifically points to police possibly searching vehicles connected to illegal sales.

“As Mayor, I support the legal cannabis industry, but we cannot tolerate unlicensed sales that put our community at risk,” Mayor Kraham stated. “These illegal shops steal from taxpayers and sell unsafe, untested products, often to minors. To ensure the success of the legal cannabis market in New York and protect our residents, we must continue to crack down on unlicensed operators. I’m glad to see City Council advancing the legislation I proposed last fall.”

Following the town hall, council members said they would revisit and possibly amend the legislation. They plan to invite the people who spoke back to a future meeting.

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