Relates to the retail sale and on-site consumption of cannabis within one thousand feet of a school or child day care center

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jenifer Rajkumar

Establishes a 1,000-foot buffer prohibiting or restricting cannabis retail and on-site consumption near schools and child day care centers.

REFERRED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Overview

Bill Number: A 3501

Title: Relates to the retail sale and on-site consumption of cannabis within one thousand feet of a school or child day care center

Sponsor: Jenifer Rajkumar (primary)

Status: Referred to Economic Development

Legislative actions show the bill was referred to the Economic Development committee on 2025-01-28 (listed twice in the record)

Introduced: January 28, 2025

Related legislation: A 10599 (prior-session)

Purpose and intent

The bill’s title indicates it would address the location and proximity of cannabis retail sales and on-site consumption relative to schools and child day care centers. Specifically, it references a 1,000-foot distance, which suggests the creation or adjustment of buffer zones around such facilities.

The stated aim (as inferred from the title) is to regulate where cannabis activities can occur in relation to schools and child care centers, with the objective of reducing potential exposure or impact on minors and related safety concerns.

Key provisions ( note on text availability )

The specific statutory text of A 3501 is not provided in the information you shared. Therefore, the exact provisions (e.g., whether the bill would prohibit, restrict, or permit certain cannabis activities within the 1,000-foot radius; how measured; enforcement mechanisms; exceptions; penalties) are not enumerated here.

Based on the title, typical provisions in this area might include:

Establishing a 1,000-foot buffer zone around schools and licensed child day care centers.
Prohibiting or restricting the retail sale of cannabis within that buffer.
Regulating on-site consumption within or near the buffer (e.g., prohibitions or defined allowances).
Defining “distance” measurement and how to verify location compliance.
Clarifying enforcement, violator penalties, and potential grandfathering or exemptions.
Aligning with or modifying existing licensing, zoning, or local ordinance processes.

Who would be affected

Cannabis retailers and licensees (on-site consumption venues and retail outlets) operating or seeking to operate within or near school or daycare zones.

Schools and child day care centers (potentially benefiting from reduced exposure risks or operational restrictions near their premises).

Local governments and planning/zoning authorities responsible for enforcing buffer rules.

Consumers and the general public, particularly families with children, who may experience changes in access patterns and neighborhood commerce.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced and first referred to the Economic Development committee on January 28, 2025.

The current status shows no further action beyond the committee referral in the information provided.

Related prior-session bill A 10599 may indicate ongoing or previous legislative interest in proximity-based restrictions related to cannabis.

Next steps for tracking

Monitor subsequent committee actions, any amendments, and eventual floor votes in the Assembly.

Review the bill’s text upon release to confirm the exact scope (prohibition vs. conditional allowances), defined terms (e.g., what constitutes a “school” or “child day care center”), distance measurement methodology, enforcement, and penalties.

Consider related bills and local government impact statements for a fuller understanding of statewide implications.

Bill