Controversial cannabis dispensary in East Setauket ordered to temporarily close amid legal dispute
Strong Strains, the only recreational cannabis dispensary operating in the Town of Brookhaven, was shuttered following a court order issued by a state Supreme Court judge.
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A cannabis dispensary in East Setauket that drew controversy from the moment it opened has been ordered to temporarily close its doors as a legal battle unfolds in court.
Strong Strains, the only recreational cannabis dispensary operating in the Town of Brookhaven, was shuttered following a court order issued by a state Supreme Court judge. The decision comes as a result of a lawsuit filed by the dispensary’s landlord, Stony Brook Technology Center.
The landlord argues that tenants in the technology center are prohibited from engaging in any activity that breaks federal law — and despite being legal in New York, cannabis sales remain illegal at the federal level.
The dispensary’s location — directly next to a drug treatment center — sparked controversy from the beginning. The treatment facility and several nearby businesses voiced strong opposition when Strong Strains opened a few months ago.
“That’s good,” said Robert Negron, of Coram, reacting to the shutdown. “Protect a lot of people from getting further into it. So it’s a good thing.”
While some community members welcomed the closure, others — particularly customers — were frustrated by the sudden shutdown. Throughout the afternoon, customers arrived only to find the dispensary closed. None were willing to speak on camera, and representatives from the dispensary declined to comment.
A follow-up court hearing is scheduled for next week.
