The Town of Riverhead is considering a moratorium on new cannabis shops after a state judge struck down its zoning laws as too restrictive, frustrating town officials over the degree of local control they maintain over the businesses.

The town board set an Aug. 19 hearing on the proposal, which would freeze approvals for dispensaries for one year while the town seeks legal clarity and addresses lingering community concerns.

The proposal is a response to a recent ruling by Judge Paul M. Hensley that state dispensary laws preempt Riverhead Town code . Town code requires dispensaries be spaced 2,500 feet apart. State rules are less restrictive, setting a 1,000-foot buffer between cannabis businesses.

Riverhead Town Attorney Erik Howard said there’s "a lot of inconsistency" in the state

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