Important Update
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation (S9155/A10140) protecting certain cannabis retail licensees and applicants previously impacted by the school proximity review issue identified last summer. The update applies to all Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries, CAURD licensees, Microbusinesses with Retail Locations and Registered Organization Dispensing (ROD) licensees.
What This Means for Licensees and Applicants:
Licensees who received a license prior to February 11, 2026 are protected and may continue operating and renewing at their current location.
Applicants who previously received written confirmation from OCM that their location complied with proximity standards may continue through the application process and, if applicable, receive licensure at that location.
- If a licensee or applicant seeks to change locations after February 11, 2026, the new site will be reviewed under the updated proximity standards.
Updated Proximity Requirements (Effective February 11, 2026):
Retail dispensaries must be 500 feet from the entrance of a school located on the same street.
Retail dispensaries must be 200 feet from the entrance of a building located on the same street and exclusively used as a House of Worship.
The legislation also clarifies measurement methodology and defines what qualifies as an exclusive-use House of Worship.
For questions, please contact [email protected].