Wheatfield considers added Sunday hours for cannabis store

By Benjamin Joe

Senior Contributing Writer

Love Nug, a cannabis dispensary owned by Adam and Joleigh Wylucki in the Town of Wheatfield, is one step closer to changing its Sunday hours from noon to 5 p.m. to 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The husband-and-wife shop owners appeared in front the Town of Wheatfield Board on Monday and were accompanied by their lawyer, Aleece Burgio. The three stated during a public hearing that Love Nug is suffering with short Sunday hours – while competitors outside of Wheatfield are reaping the rewards.

“It is a legal store that is licensed by New York state. You guys get tax revenue, 3% goes back to you at your only cannabis store in your area. So, your money is coming back,” she said.

“It’s not about whether the consumer can get it between 12 and 5 p.m.; it’s whether this business is going to be in the black or the red.”

The board, however, was divided, as the question to allow new hours – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays – came to the floor.

Supervisor Don MacSwan moved to make the changes, on the condition of both the Town of Wheatfield Planning Board and the Niagara County Planning Board approving the measure. Town Attorney Matt Brooks and Engineer Tim Zuber both expressed doubt the county board would feel the need to consider the issue, as it was only a change of hours.

The Town Board meeting became dead silent as MacSwan asked for a second on the motion.

Councilman Curt Doktor asked, “What can you do to trim those hours?”

Councilman Randy Retzlaff asked the merchants to keep the doors closed until after noon.

Doktor noted he was against the idea of cannabis, as Burgio asked whether a liquor store would face such opposition.

“Would you ask that of a bar? Would you ask that of a liquor store?” she asked.

MacSwan opined the dispensary is like any small business in Wheatfield – “just trying to thrive” – and he supported the change in hours.

After some more back and forth between Doktor and Burgio, Doktor relented and said he’d support an 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday schedule for the shop. Retzlaff, who had been against opening before noon, noted the rest of the board would override his “no” vote, which did occur. 

Retzlaff had reasoned the shop’s patrons should know what hours the dispensary is open and get there accordingly. He also said it was his opinion that no cannabis should be sold on Sundays at all. 

“My initial reaction was ‘No! No, no, no!’ ” he said. “I still have that (reaction) for in the morning.”

The motion was passed 3-1 with Retzlaff dissenting and Councilman Larry Helwig on vacation and excused.

In other news

•A hazardous waste drop off will take place between 9 a.m. and noon at Town of Wheatfield Town Hall at 2800 Church Road. Paints, batteries and other solids, which cannot be collected with regular trash, can be dropped off at this event.

Registration is required and can be done online at https://circular.eco/event/wheatfield-hhw-collection.