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Bill

S 8913

Limits prohibitions of advertising of cannabis products or services on billboards

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeremy Cooney

Allows licensed NY cannabis billboards to display licensee-specific, non-brand information (contact, hours, status, site directions) while banning generic brand advertising.

PRINT NUMBER 8913D
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 8913

Overview

S.8913-B (2025-2026, New York) aims to restrict prohibitions on cannabis advertising by allowing billboards to display certain information for licensees while prohibiting billboards that bear cannabis brand information or that violate existing advertising prohibitions.

Main purpose and intent

  • Clarify and limit restrictions on cannabis advertising on billboards.
  • Permit billboards that provide specific, non-brand information for licensed cannabis businesses.
  • Ensure that advertising on billboards is informative and compliant with licensee-specific disclosures, rather than broad cannabis brand promotion.

Key provisions and changes

  • Amends Section 86 of the Cannabis Law by adding two new subdivisions (2-a and 2-b).

New billboard definition and permissible content (Subdivision 2-a)

  • Defines a billboard as any off-premises signage, regardless of size or location.
  • Prohibits billboards that do not advertise a licensee.
  • Prohibits licensees from allowing third-party use of trademarks or brands in advertising in ways that violate subdivision 2 (existing restrictions) or related provisions.
  • Permits, on and after the effective date:
    • (a) Licensee name, logo, entity name, or doing business as name.
    • (b) Contact information: address, phone number, email, website URL, or QR code.
    • (c) Nature of the licensed business.
    • (d) Licensee’s business slogan.
    • (e) Licensee’s hours of operation.
    • (f) Notice of opening status or an authorized licensee showcase event.
    • (g) Licensee’s social equity status, if applicable.
    • (h) Directional information to locate the licensee.

Continuation of existing billboards (Subdivision 2-b)

  • Billboards that advertised a licensee in the permitted manner prior to the effective date may continue.
  • Any new billboard placed after the effective date must comply with the subdivision 2-a requirements.
  • Allows for regulations or guidance to be issued consistent with these requirements.

Who or what is affected

  • Licensed cannabis licensees in New York (as defined by the Cannabis Law), and their advertising practices specifically for billboards.
  • Advertising or billboard operators (to ensure compliance with the new permissible content framework).
  • Regulators and guidance developers who issue implementing regulations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Subdivision 2-a enacts immediately upon the bill’s effective date; section 3 states the act takes effect immediately.
  • Transition: Billboards already in existence that advertised under the old framework may continue if they conform to the pre-existing permitted manner; new billboards must comply with the new 2-a requirements.
  • Ongoing regulatory guidance: Regulations or guidance may be issued to implement these changes.

Potential impact

  • For licensees: Greater clarity on what can be advertised on billboards and the types of information that can be disclosed, including social equity status and contact details.
  • For advertising standards: A shift toward licensee-focused, information-rich billboard content with less emphasis on broad cannabis brand promotion.
  • For enforcement and compliance: Regulators will need to monitor billboard content to ensure it meets the new permitted content criteria and that non-licensee advertising is avoided.

Note: The bill is sponsored by Senator Jeremy Cooney. The current text indicates amendments and committee actions as of early 2026.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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