New York cannabis stores are facing potential relocation or closures as they are too close to schools, and this week a temporary agreement with state regulators has been struck to keep them open for at least the next five months.
Retailers filed a lawsuit, challenging the newly expanded buffer between cannabis retailers and schools, threatening some existing businesses, which is a temporary probation, according to The New York Times.
As part of the agreement, the state cannabis administration office will postpone the implementation of the revised buffer policy until February 15.
The agreement is detailed in legal documents filed Wednesday by the Albany Attorney General’s Office of the State Supreme Court.
Unless the Legislature creates an exception to enable them to remain in operation, more than 150 pharmacies face potential closures.
The affected owners are primarily people of color and are given priority for pharmacy licenses due to past punishments in New York’s anti-Marihuna laws.
Newly executed school buffer for New York marijuana
State law prohibits marijuana stores from operating within 500 feet of the school.
Previously, OCM measured the distance from the cannabis store entrance to the school entrance.
But in July, under new leadership, the agency said the method was incorrect and had to be measured from the property line.
