Islip is expected to decide on Tuesday whether to allow retail cannabis sales in town, marking the end of a contentious monthslong battle between those who want to embrace the industry and its tax revenue, and others who want to prohibit pot shops due to public health concerns.

Islip Town began considering a repeal of its 4-year-old ban on marijuana sales in March. Since then, supporters and opponents throughout the community have locked horns over the plan’s merits.

Supervisor Angie Carpenter was the only member of Islip’s five-member town board to oppose revisiting the policy in March. She argues that legalization can’t be undone and would “jeopardize the health and welfare of our youth.” Other prominent opponents, such as the Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce, have echoed that sentiment.

Conservative Councilman John Lorenzo, who’s spearheading the legalization push, has cited the amount of revenue neighboring towns are generating from the industry. Newsday has reported that Babylon raked in about $2.6 million from retail cannabis in 2024 alone, according to data from the Suffolk County Comptroller's Office.

Republican Councilman Michael McElwee and Democrat Jorge Guadron also have supported retail cannabis throughout 2025. In addition to new revenue, they argue, legalization could benefit public health by helping to ensure product quality through increased regulation.

The town board was poised to decide the cannabis question in April but delayed the vote until this month after scores of residents and activists showed up to speak for or against the proposal at the board’s April 8 meeting.

Republican Councilman James O’Connor said the delay would allow residents more time to review the proposal. He has not taken an explicit stance on cannabis legalization but said opponents who spoke at the April 8 meeting failed to understand some key provisions in the policy.

“Statements were made that were in direct contradiction to the resolution that is before us,” O’Connor said in April. “It’s limited to a particular industrial corridor … it’s not 500 feet from a school, it’s 1,000 feet from a school. It’s two dispensaries in the beginning.”

O’Connor added, “I think this time will also allow the public, who have come out here tonight passionately about this issue, to read the proposed legislation that this town is considering.”

The town board is scheduled to make its final decision on retail cannabis at its 2 p.m. meeting on Tuesday.

If a simple majority of the board votes in favor of legalization, Islip will become the fifth Suffolk County town to allow retail cannabis. Brookhaven, Babylon, Riverhead and Southampton have all previously opted in to dispensaries. Towns in Nassau County have not allowed retail cannabis sales.

Check back for updates on this developing story.