Candidates Clash Over Cannabis at Packed Southold Election Forum
The Southold American Legion Hall was buzzing Monday night as voters packed the room to hear from 23 local candidates ahead of the upcoming Nov. 4 election. The forum, hosted by the nonpartisan North Fork Chamber of Commerce, gave Southold residents a chance to hear directly from those running for county legislature, town board, trustee, assessor, highway supervisor, and clerk.
While many of the discussions showed broad agreement on housing, development, and environmental protection, one issue drew a clear line between candidates cannabis.
Republican candidate Chris Talbot, a former Town Board member, voiced strong opposition to marijuana dispensaries in Southold. He said that cannabis sales may work for Riverhead but have no place in Southold. “New York is pushing pot onto our kids,” Talbot said, emphasizing that Southold should remain cannabis-free and predicting that tighter state regulations are inevitable.
Democrat Kate Stevens, who is running for the Fishers Island seat on the Town Board, took a different view. She argued that it’s time for Southold to reconsider its 2021 decision to opt out of cannabis sales. Stevens pointed to Babylon’s success, which generated $2.6 million in revenue from dispensaries, money that went directly into parks and public projects. “It was smart for Southold to wait,” she said, “but now it’s a valid idea worth pursuing.”
Southold opted out of cannabis sales in 2021, joining most East End towns except Riverhead and Southampton. The debate reflects a growing divide between maintaining the town’s traditional values and exploring new economic opportunities.
Another major discussion centered on the Strong’s Marine redevelopment project on Mattituck Inlet, which has been in review for nearly a decade. Candidates across party lines acknowledged the frustration over delays. Republican Talbot supported the project, saying Southold needs officials who will appoint pro-business planning members.
Beyond cannabis and development, the candidates tackled housing, zoning, and tourism all vital issues shaping Southold’s future. Affordable housing remains a pressing concern, as both parties recognized the challenge of keeping young families and workers in the area.
As the three-hour event wrapped up, each candidate gave a final pitch. The evening captured Southold’s ongoing balance between progress and preservation a reflection of a community proud of its roots yet eager to shape what comes next.
Early voting in Southold begins Saturday, Oct. 25, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 2.
by The Suffolk Times - Times Review
