Though recreational marijuana is now legal in New York State, its municipalities have until Dec. 31 of this year to decide if they want to opt out, and not permit its sale within their boundaries. In the Village of Walden, officials indicate that it may take much of that time between now and the end of the year for them to decide.

“I am not sure if I am in favor of it in our village,” said Trustee Lynn Thompson at last week’s village board meeting. “I have questions about monitoring and enforcing.”

Thompson noted, though, that if Walden opted it, residents could go elsewhere, like Middletown, to buy it legally, in which case the village would lose out on some sales tax revenue.

Village Attorney Dave Donovan told trustees that 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. Walden, he said, may have to share their portion with the Town of Montgomery, unless the town decided to opt out and thereby forfeit their share.

Donovan told the village board that a public hearing would be required before the village could opt out, and that the decision is subject to a permissive referendum, meaning residents could petition to overturn the decision.

“I just wouldn’t jam it in the last meeting in December,” Donovan warned.

Opinion among village trustees was mixed.

“I was a hard core opt out, but I’ve done some research and I see both sides,” said Trustee Patricia Maher. “I think we have to look into other states that have regulated this.”

If the village decides to permit the sale of cannibis products, it does have the ability to restrict the sale to particular zones within the village. It was noted, for example, that a gas station could become a licensed dispensary.

“Gas stations are only allowed in a couple of zones,” Village Manager John Revella said.

Trustee Cheryl Baker noted that Middletown has a dispensary.

“It could be very positive for our community, especially in the financial impact,” Baker said, later adding that marijuana has a bad rap, “more than it deserves.”

Deputy Mayor Willie Carley was unconvinced.

“My position is to opt out,” Carley said. “I look at this from history.”

Carley said he is from the old school, believing that “marijuana is bad - taboo!”

Mayor John Ramos said he’d like to see more medical information before making any decision.

“We will not receive any revenue if we choose to opt out,” he said. “I’m in a gray area. I’ve been in law enforcement all of my life.”