Midday News Brief
Written by Dan Fischer on April 1, 2021
Governor Cuomo has signed a law legalizing recreational use of marijuana for people over the age of 21. It could still be up to 18 months until you can buy it at a local dispensary.
The big push for legal pot was fueled by the potential for tax revenue at the state level.
Rachael Tabelski
But City Manager Rachel Tabelski tells us there is a payoff at the local level as well:
Municipal governments do not have any authority on adult use, but can decide whether the city allows for a dispensary.
At that point Tabelski says, the city can regulate the times and location n through local zoning.
The April 1st deadline has arrived, but members of the Legislature are still trying to finalize a new state budget. Each chamber did pass one of the several bills required for the budget to be completed. The Legislature is expected to be back at the Capitol later today, but there’s no word yet how much longer the budget process could take.
An online fundraiser has been established to help a Batavia family of six after a fire this week destroyed the home they were renting at 37 Maple Street. Several pets perished and the family lost all their belongings.
A GoFundMe page has already raised more than $5,800. So far, more than 80 residents have donated.
Genesee County reports 17 new cases of COVID-19.
Five of the current positive individuals are hospitalized and three new cases involve inmates at the Genesee County Jail.
A dozen new COVID cases have been confirmed in Orleans County while, officials in Wyoming County reported six new virus cases.
For the first time since February 23rd, the Buffalo Sabres have won a game and avoided setting a new NHL record in the process.
Buffalo came into the game having lost 18 in a row, tying the mark set by the 2003-2004 Pittsburgh Penguins. The Sabres will look to make it back-to-back victories tonight when they host the New York Rangers.
