Henrietta already has two legal cannabis dispensaries, and a third is on the way after the business owner agreed to use a site farther from a trampoline park that caters to children.
The New York State Office of Cannabis Management issues cannabis dispensary licenses, but towns that allow the businesses can add operating requirements when special-use permits are required.
On March 7, by a vote of 3 to 2, the Henrietta Town Board granted Capital Cannabis a special-use permit to open in South Town Plaza, 3333 West Henrietta Road, with conditions.
Originally, the adult-only retailer proposed setting up shop in an outbuilding that used to house a Summit Federal Credit Union branch.
That spot is 500 feet from, and in the line of sight of, Altitude Trampoline Park. The 500-foot distance meets a state requirement.
But ideally, Henrietta wants cannabis dispensaries to be at least 1,000 feet from homes, schools, parks, playgrounds, churches or houses of worship and businesses “primarily focused on providing services/products to children” and has made that a special-use permit condition.
So, Capital Cannabis came back with a proposal to open in another vacant bank about 200 feet east of the Summit building.
It’s still within 1,000 feet of Altitude, but the view from Altitude is mostly blocked by the old Summit branch.
To fully obscure it, the special-use permit requires Capital Cannabis to add “vegetative screening” along the building’s west side.
In addition, the business can’t use external signage “that glorifies or encourages the use of marijuana.”
Architectural renderings provided to the town show an upgraded building exterior with the words CAPITAL CANNABIS above the entry.
“The way you have the building signed today, the way you have it looking today, that’s OK,” Supervisor Stephen Schultz said during the March 7 meeting (although site plans will need Planning Board approval).
Capital Cannabis also has to take steps to prevent its products from “falling into the hands of minors” or risk having its special-use permit revoked.
In addition to various internal security measures, the company will have security patrolling the parking lot, a representative said during the meeting.
Proposed hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily but could be expanded, according to the permit application.
Capital Cannabis would like to use the bank building’s drive-through window but would need the state’s permission.
In seeking its special-use permit, another cannabis business in town, RISE Dispensary, faced similar issues.
It’s in the old IHOP at 556 Jefferson Road, which is less than 1,000 feet from the Clubhouse Fun Center, a family-oriented amusement center at 70 Jay Scutti Blvd.
RISE started out as a medical dispensary in July 2022 and earlier this year added a retail side.
Schultz said so far, the town has had “zero issues” with RISE or another legal operation, MJ Dispensary, which is in the Genesee Valley Regional Market, 900 Jefferson Road.
“All of our problems have been with the smoke shops and the CBD oil places,” he said. “There was a smoke shop in town that was caught selling massive amounts of cannabis. They were also selling psychedelic mushrooms and other illegal substances. … So, those shops are a real problem, and they are known to be advertising to kids.”
Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood.
New cannabis dispensary coming to South Town Plaza in Henrietta – Democrat & Chronicle
