Riverhead residents on Tuesday weighed in on the town's pitch to freeze new cannabis store approvals for one year during a public hearing, with some residents concerned about their rapid growth while marijuana advocates warned the move could push consumers back to the illicit market.

With two marijuana dispensaries up and running and at least five more proposed, Riverhead is weighing the freeze to evaluate state laws and assess local impacts.

The proposed moratorium would pause approvals on new dispensaries while the town seeks clarity over zoning control. Riverhead’s proposal comes after a Suffolk judge struck down portions of town code that are more restrictive than state rules when it comes to distances between dispensaries .

Councilman Ken Rothwell, who voted against opting i

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