North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth is urging the state Health Department to prevent another marijuana dispensary to open in the town.

There is currently an application put forth by the company MedMen to place a medical marijuana dispensary in Manhasset in a building on Northern Boulevard. The building is currently occupied by a Sleep Number store.

Currently, the only operating medical marijuana dispensary in Nassau County is located at 2001 Marcus Ave. in Lake Success. That dispensary is also run by MedMen. The company says New York state will not allow them legally to keep both locations open. If they are able to open the Manhasset location, they would have to close down the dispensary in Lake Success. 

Another dispensary, to be run by a different company, has already been approved and will open soon on Glen Cove Road in Carle Place.

Supervisor Bosworth said she understands the need for medical marijuana, but questioned in a letter to the Health Department the reasoning behind the cluster of dispensaries.

“Of the 1.3 million in Nassau County, 17-percent reside in the town of North Hempstead. So the question would be, why are 100 percent of the facilities proposed in this area?” she asked.

If the state doesn't act, Supervisor Bosworth says the parking situation at the Manhasset location would be the only way to block it. There are currently not enough parking spots, so the company would have to get a variance from the town's Board of Zoning Appeals.

“The Department of Health is committed to growing New York’s Medical Marijuana Program responsibly. The Program has helped thousands of New Yorkers suffering from serious health conditions. Registered organizations must follow strict regulatory requirements on matters including security, packaging, and labeling and have New York State registered pharmacists on staff at dispensing facilities to assist patients,” says Jonah Bruno, Director of Communications.