Application for Cannabis Dispensary in Ballston Spa Withdrawn  

BALLSTON SPA — Just weeks after the first cannabis dispensary opened in Saratoga Springs, an application to open a dispensary in Ballston Spa was withdrawn from the village’s planning board review process.

Mayor Frank Rossi said that concerns over parking, increased traffic, and possible on-site consumption led to the application being pulled.

“While I am disappointed that this application has been withdrawn, the Village remains committed to ensuring a balance exists between business growth and the safety and concerns of our community,” Rossi wrote in a Facebook post. “I’m sure another cannabis dispensary will be proposed inside the Village limits at some point, and we all remain prepared to manage that process swiftly on our end.”

The application was made by Sachmarie Crowley of Saratoga Springs for Island Vibes Cannabis Dispensary, LLC. Crowley is the owner of Sasha’s of Saratoga, which offers adult and pediatric medical cannabis certifications, IV hydration therapy, vitamin injections, and chronic disease consultation.

The proposed dispensary would have been located at 303 Milton Avenue, the current home of Russell’s Deli. Deli owner Russell Shapiro called the withdrawn application “good news for our customers, bad news for us” in a Facebook post. Shapiro put his deli up for sale last year.