check bupipedream.com on 4/20 for full issue
Cannabis licenses available in Binghamton Binghamton was one of the first municipalities to offer retail licensing. Brandon Ng
news intern
After New York state legalized recreational marijuana, Binghamton officials have moved to update zoning laws and regulatory policy. The Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), passed by the New York State Legislature and signed by thenGov. Andrew Cuomo in March 2021, legalized possession, usage and cultivation of marijuana products and plants. The Act also created the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) — a regulatory body overseeing adult-use, medical and hemp cannabis. A year later, the City of Binghamton became one of the first municipalities in the state to pass draft zoning legislation for new cannabis-related businesses, according to a press release from Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham. Under Binghamton law, three distinct types of marijuana businesses are recognized, including industrial, retail and on-site consumption, all of which are prohibited in residential and commercial neighborhoods and the medical district. Kraham, who took office in January 2022, emphasized the importance of proactive planning in preparing for
cannabis businesses. “Having that zoning established really allowed for Just Breathe, the cannabis retailer downtown, to come to the table with a quick process,” Kraham said. “Had the City not adopted that zoning legislation quickly in advance of these retailers trying to open, it would have been a legal mess to try to both define a use that didn’t exist in our code, and also have the [Planning Commission] consider a use that has not been defined or regulated by City Council or the Mayor.” The Council approved the legislation with four votes in favor, one vote against and two members absent. Joe Burns, a city council member, voiced objections to the initial zoning plan. Though he expressed approval about the decriminalization of marijuana, Burns, a Democrat, listed factors behind his opposition — including his past experiences with addiction and the potential impact on drug addicts. Still, however, Burns described Kraham as a “good mayor who does things quickly” and who successfully persuaded the City Council to adopt his cannabis plan. Just Breathe, New York state’s first licensed cannabis dispensary outside of New York City, originally opened in 2021 selling cannabidiol (CBD) — an “essential” component of medical marijuana derived from the hemp plant, according to Harvard Medical School. It is operated by Damien Cornwell in collaboration with the
alexa valadez design assistant Under Binghamton’s regulations, three types of cannabis businesses are allowed — industrial, retail and on-site consumption.
Broome County Urban League (BUCL), a nonprofit that works to empower communities. Cornwell, also the League’s director of operations, recounted the regulatory process that preceded Just Breathe’s transition to selling cannabis. “The City [of Binghamton] was super proactive [and] was one of the first municipalities to act and do the zoning laws in advance of the licensing coming out,” Cornwell said. “But in my world, I still had a lot to do with
the OCM and the state, and how that integrates with laws and different practices that are exercised in the municipality. For me, it was still a two-year journey to get everything put together.” Cornwell noted the social implications of his business, adding that he hoped to build on Binghamton’s culture, which would entice current college students to stay in the area after graduation. Iris Defino, a sophomore majoring in political science,
expressed positive sentiment about Binghamton city officials pioneering recreational marijuana in New York state. “It is heartening to see places like Just Breathe opening Downtown and to see the support from the community to implement these changes,” Defino wrote. “This is especially valuable given that the criminalization and hyperpolicing of marijuana have had a disproportionate impact on [Black, Indigenous and people of color] communities and have
fueled the mass incarceration crisis in this country.” Bianca Van Zile, a sophomore majoring in mathematics, agreed with Defino, and considered the legalization’s broader societal impacts. “It’s good that they’re decriminalizing marijuana,” Van Zile said. “It’ll be interesting to see how legalizing cannabis will affect drug culture down the road. Will it decrease alcohol use or increase other drug use? Who knows.”
Important drug and addiction resources For those battling addiction, there are a number of resources to help. Hallie Milligan
Assistant news editor
College comes with challenges, which can be especially difficult to face when struggling with substance abuse. If you find yourself or a loved one facing these challenges, here is a list of on- and off-campus recovery and support resources to aid in
the journey toward sobriety. The Consultation, Advocacy, Referral and Education (CARE) Team The CARE Team is an on-campus support group responsible for promoting personal and academic development by directing students to resources that can best accommodate their needs. The team is composed of licensed social workers dedicated to creating judgment-free case management services for students who need help finding the correct
resources. The CARE Team is located in Binghamton University Union West, room 207, and can be contacted weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. by phone at (607) 777-2804. The team can also be reached by email at dos@binghamton.edu for general inquiries or to set up a consultation appointment. The University Counseling Center (UCC) College comes with challenges, which can be especially difficult to face when struggling with substance abuse. The UCC
is available to aid students experiencing mental health crises, addiction or those who simply need someone trustworthy to talk to privately. The UCC has many certified counselors available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for therapy services. The UCC is located in Old O’Connor Hall, room 264, and can be reached by phone at (607) 777-2772 to set up an appointment. Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Office Located in the Academic B building, room 202, the
bella daidone design manager Important resources to combat addiction within the community include the CARE team and the Addiction Center of Broome County.
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Office is an on-campus recovery resource dedicated to creating a collaboration of resources available to students struggling with substance abuse. Staff at the office work hard to conduct research, stay upto-date on the most recent support developments and collaborate with outside resources to create a program that meets the needs of students in various stages of recovery. These resources include support groups, events, cannabis and alcohol screening for college students, prevention tools and more. The office can be reached on weekdays by phone at (607) 777-3088 or by email at aodstaff@ binghamton.edu. Campus Recovery Support Group (CRSG) Established in 2021 in coordination with the UCC and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Office, the CRSG is a student-run support initiative that works to aid students struggling with substance abuse through recovery. The group organizes various support events such as “Coffee Talks” and game nights to facilitate connection among students struggling with drug abuse. For further inquiries, the CRSG can be reached by email at busober@ binghamton.edu. Dates and times for support events held at the group’s social space, located in the Academic B building room 211, can be found on the group’s Instagram, @busober.
The Addiction Center of Broome County (ACBC) Located off-campus at 30 West State St. in Binghamton, the ACBC has been aiding community members struggling with substance abuse for over 40 years. The team at the ACBC provides many resources, including individualized treatment planning, psychiatric care and more. Resources are also available for those interested in aiding a loved one through addiction. This includes Narcan training, suicide alertness training, family support and more. For more information or to inquire about care, the ACBC can be reached by phone Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at (607) 723-7308. Binghamton’s New York State University Police (UPD) In the case of an emergency, to report an incident or to inquire about lost or stolen property, students can contact UPD. The department has a group of highly trained professional officers who can aid in emergency situations, including drug-related emergencies. The UPD office is located in the basement of the Couper Administration Building, AD-G24. For emergency calls, the UPD can be reached at (607) 7772222 from a cell phone, or at 911 from a campus phone. For non-emergency reports, students can call (607) 7772393 to speak with an officer.