With the sale and distribution of marijuana products now legal in New York State, individual municipalities still have the option of preventing those sales within their boundaries. The Town of New Windsor will soon join the list of those municipalities considering opting out.

The town board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 1 at 7 p.m. on whether or not to permit cannabis dispensaries within the town.

“We’re required to hold a public hearing,” said Town Supervisor George Meyers at least week’s meeting. “We’ll hear from the public on this and then vote.”

Though recreational marijuana is now legal in New York State, municipalities have until Dec. 31 of this year to decide if they want to opt out, and not permit its sale within their boundaries. Among Orange County municipalities, the Town of Crawford has chosen to opt out, while the City of Middletown is permitting cannabis dispensaries.

If the town decides to permit the dispensaries, it would stand to collect some sales tax revenue. The sale of cannibis products would come with a four percent Orange County sales tax. The county would keep 25 percent of that amount and distribute the reminder to the municipalities.

New Windsor officials gave no indication which way they are leaning.

“We’ll have a couple of public hearings next month,” Meyers said “Bring lunch.”