St. Lawrence County residents can attend a public hearing described as a listening session on regulating marijuana in New York.

The purpose of the sessions is to get input from community members and key stakeholders on the implementation of a regulated marijuana program in the state. Input will assist the Regulated Marijuana Workgroup in drafting legislation for an adult-use marijuana program for the legislature to consider in the upcoming session, according to a press release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Fifteen listening sessions will be conducted across New York State in the following locations: Albany, Glens Falls, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Long Island, Newburgh, Binghamton, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Watertown.

The listening sessions will begin in early September and be completed by mid-October. Listening sessions, which will be held in the evening and consist of facilitated discussion, will be open to the public, and to accommodate all those planning to attend, pre-registration will be encouraged.

The closest listening session to St. Lawrence County will be held in Watertown on Oct. 11.

The following list of dates and locations:

• Wednesday, September 5 - Albany

• Thursday, September 6 - Glens Falls

• Monday, September 17 - Bronx

• Thursday, September 20 - Manhattan

• Monday, September 24 - Queens

• Tuesday, September 25 - Brooklyn

• Wednesday, September 26 - Staten Island

• Thursday, September 27 - Long Island

• Monday, October 1 - Newburgh

• Tuesday, October 2 - Binghamton

• Wednesday, October 3 - Buffalo

• Thursday, October 4 - Rochester

• Tuesday, October 9 - Syracuse

• Wednesday, October 10 - Utica

• Thursday, October 11 - Watertown

In January, Governor Cuomo commissioned a multi-agency study, led by the Department of Health, to assess the impact of a regulated marijuana program in New York State. The Assessment of the Potential Impact of Regulated Marijuana in New York State was delivered to the Governor in July. The impact assessment examined the health, economic, public safety and criminal justice impact of a regulated marijuana program in New York State and the consequences to New York State of legalization in surrounding states.

The study found that the positive impacts of a regulated marijuana market in New York State outweigh the potential negative impacts, and that areas that may be a cause for concern can be mitigated with regulation and proper use of public education that is tailored to address key populations.

For more info, visit: https://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/regulated_marijuana/.