Residents weighed in Monday on the hot button topic to legalize recreational marijuana in New York.

Members of the state Assembly were at Babylon Town Hall in Lindenhurst for a public hearing that gathered input on the legalization of marijuana, and how it has worked in other states.

Recreational marijuana is expected to be a big debate in the next legislative session, which begins next month in Albany.

James Wavpotich is a Vietnam War veteran who spoke at the hearing. He says he does not use marijuana, but believes tax revenue brought in by legalization would benefit the state.

Brendan Davison from Goodwater Farms in Bridgehampton also attended and said the East End is perfect for growing.

Medical professionals testified that legalization of marijuana appears to help decrease opioid addiction.

On the other side of the argument, Family and Child Services, a nonprofit agency that works closely with families harmed by drug use, issued a statement saying it is important lawmakers "...understand the potential public health and safety implications, including impaired driving, higher rates of dependence among young people, and marijuana use during pregnancy."