Sullivan County opens public hearing to add cannabis to social host law

The Sullivan County Legislature opened a public hearing April 24, 2025, at 10:20 a.m. in the Legislature's meeting room at the County Government Center in Monticello to consider a proposed local law that would amend Chapter 170 (the social host law) of the Sullivan County Administrative Code by inserting the phrase "cannabis as defined under New York Penal Law §222.00." The proposed law was introduced at the Legislature's March 20, 2025 meeting and, if adopted, would become effective upon filing with the New York State Secretary of State.

Supporters said the change is intended to update local code to reflect the expanded variety of cannabis products now available and to give parents and other adults clearer legal responsibility for underage consumption. "We want to protect the most important resource in our community, our children," said Marty Calavito, a staff member who presented the proposal and cited collaboration with local partners including Sullivan 180, Catholic Charities, local law enforcement, and town officials in Liberty, Folsburg, and Monticello.

The hearing drew public comment from residents, including Goldie Moore, who identified herself as the mother of Jared Santillo and described the law's local history and personal stakes. Moore described her son's death in February 2016 and urged the Legislature to strengthen the law and its consequences. "I lost my boy. I lost everything," Moore said. "I just ask that you guys please think how it would be to lose your child." She also described local outreach work she has done since her son's death.

Presenters and commenters clarified how the social host law functions. A speaker at the hearing explained that the social host law historically addressed alcohol and the provision of illegal substances to minors; the proposed amendment would make clear that providing cannabis to people under 21 at a hosted event is also prohibited even though some cannabis is legal under state law for adults. The proposed local law text states the insertion of the cannabis phrase, and that the remainder of Chapter 170 would remain unchanged.

No final vote on the proposed local law was taken at the hearing. The Legislature opened the record for public comment and heard multiple speakers; the record shows the public hearing was the agenda item under discussion and that the next procedural steps (for example, a subsequent legislative vote) were not resolved during the session transcripted here.

The county read notice for the hearing on the record, citing the March 20, 2025 introduction and announcing the April 24 public hearing. The proposal's sponsors and participants named Sullivan 180, Catholic Charities, the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department, and representatives from Liberty, Folsburg, and Monticello as collaborators in drafting or supporting the amendment.

Following public comment, a legislator moved to proceed with the item; the transcript does not record a roll-call or final disposition on the proposed amendment during this session. The proposal remains a pending local law subject to further legislative action and any required formal vote.