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Bill

S 9426

Relates to proximity restrictions for adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries and on-site consumption licenses

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 5 co-sponsors

The bill tightens proximity rules, banning adult-use cannabis shops within 500 feet of schools or libraries and 200 feet of houses of worship, and applies similar limits to on-site

REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
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Bill Summary · S 9426

Bill overview

  • Bill: S 9426
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: New York
  • Title: Relates to proximity restrictions for adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries and on-site consumption licenses
  • Introduced by: Sen. Bynoe (with multiple co-sponsors)
  • Committee: Investigations and Government Operations
  • Date introduced: March 11, 2026
  • Status: Referred to committee

Main purpose and intent

The bill tightens proximity restrictions for adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries and on-site consumption licenses relative to sensitive community locations. Specifically, it prohibits licensed retail cannabis premises from being located too close to schools, public/association libraries, and houses of worship. It also imposes similarly structured distance limits for on-site consumption licenses. The goal is to reduce potential exposure or accessibility of cannabis businesses near schools, libraries, and places of worship, while preserving existing licensing processes.

Key provisions and changes

Proximity restrictions for adult-use retail dispensaries

  • A licensed premises that allows the retail sale of adult-use cannabis may not be located on the same street and within:
    • 500 feet of a school or a building containing a public library or association library (subdivision 6(a)).
    • 200 feet of a building exclusively occupied as a house of worship (subdivision 6(b)).
  • Distances are measured in a straight line from the center of the nearest entrance of the proposed license premises to the center of the nearest entrance of the protected location (subdivision 6(c)).
  • An "entrance" is defined to include doors regularly used for ingress by students, the general public, or customers, with specific rules for buildings with multiple doors and walkways (subdivision 6(d)).
  • A house of worship may continue to house incidental uses that do not detract from its character; listed incidental uses are specified (subdivision 6(e)).
  • Renewal of a license cannot be denied solely on these proximity restrictions (subdivision 6(f)).
  • At application, proximity is determined based on when the applicant submits its location to the licensing office (subdivision 6(g)).

Proximity restrictions for on-site consumption licenses

  • No adult-use on-site consumption license may be granted within:
    • 500 feet of school grounds (as defined by the Education Law) or a public/association library (as defined in Education Law § 253).
    • 200 feet of a house of worship (section 77(4)).

Who or what is affected

  • Adult-use cannabis retail licensees seeking or maintaining storefront dispensaries are affected by the 500-foot/200-foot proximity prohibitions to schools, libraries, and houses of worship.
  • Applicants for adult-use on-site consumption licenses are affected by the specified proximity limits relative to the same sensitive locations.
  • Communities near schools, libraries, or houses of worship may see changes in where cannabis licenses can be located or renewed.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: The act takes effect on the 90th day after enactment.
  • Application/appraisal timing: For proximity determinations, the relevant date is when the applicant submits its location to the licensing office.
  • Application to existing licenses: The bill specifies that renewals cannot be denied solely on these proximity restrictions, but it is not explicit about grandfathering or nonconforming licenses beyond renewal protection.
  • Enactment and implementation: The bill amends existing Cannabis Law provisions (including sections 72 and 77) to add these proximity criteria and measurement rules.

Summary of potential impact

  • Increased spacing between cannabis retail/off-site consumption locations and schools, libraries, and houses of worship.
  • Possible reduction in the number of eligible sites in dense urban areas, potentially affecting market supply and location strategy for licensees.
  • Clarified measurement methodology for establishing proximity (center-to-center, straight-line distance, defined entrances) to reduce ambiguity in enforcement.
  • Renewal protections help prevent automatic loss of licenses due to proximity rules, preserving license rights unless other conditions apply.

If you’d like, I can compare these provisions to existing NY cannabis proximity rules or outline potential implications for particular municipalities.

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

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