Bill > A08741

This bill amends the cannabis law to establish specific proximity requirements for licensed adult use dispensing facilities in New York, mandating that these facilities must be at least 1,000 feet apart in municipalities with 20,000 or more people, and at least 2,000 feet apart in smaller municipalities. The bill also introduces a detailed process for obtaining waivers to these proximity restrictions, which requires the Cannabis Control Board to follow a comprehensive set of guidelines. These guidelines include issuing notices to affected dispensary owners and local officials, conducting a quantitative analysis of the potential impact, holding public hearings, consulting with local municipalities, and providing opportunities for impacted parties to submit comments and appeals. The bill further restricts waiver approvals by prohibiting waivers if illegal retail cannabis stores are operating nearby, if the waiver would reduce the distance by more than 5%, if the affected dispensary has been operating for less than three years, or if the new dispensary is larger than the existing one. Additionally, the bill limits each licensed cannabis retail dispensary to only one proximity protection waiver, ensuring a structured and transparent approach to managing the spatial distribution of cannabis dispensaries.

Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8741