A Bronx lawmaker has introduced legislation to shield more than 100 state-licensed cannabis dispensaries from losing their ability to operate after the state’s Office of Cannabis Management reinterpreted a key zoning rule last week. But a coalition of impacted businesses says the fix cannot wait until lawmakers return in January.
State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda’s bill, S8469, would allow any adult-use retail dispensary licensee approved by OCM before July 28, 2025, to be deemed compliant for license renewal and continued operation “regardless of such business location’s proximity to a school property line,” provided they met the standards in place at the time of approval. Any applicants beyond that date would have to adhere to the new guidelines.
