Bill > A10140

This bill amends the cannabis law to establish new rules for the placement of retail adult-use cannabis dispensaries, which are businesses licensed to sell cannabis for recreational use. Specifically, it mandates that these dispensaries cannot be located on the same street and within 500 feet of a school building, and within 200 feet of a building exclusively used as a house of worship. The measurements for these distances are taken in a straight line from the center of the nearest entrance of the dispensary to the center of the nearest entrance of the school or house of worship, with specific definitions provided for what constitutes an "entrance" and clarifications on what incidental uses do not disqualify a building from being considered "exclusively occupied" as a house of worship. Importantly, the bill also states that license renewals will not be denied based on these proximity restrictions and that the location of an applicant will be evaluated based on the date they submit their location to the relevant office. The bill also includes provisions for how existing licenses and applications submitted before its effective date will be handled regarding these new proximity rules.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A10140