New York Bill Filed to Protect Marijuana Dispensaries From Being Forced to Relocate Over School Proximity

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Augest 5, 2025

A new bill filed by State Senator Luis Sepulveda (D) would protect dozens of licensed marijuana retailers in New York from being forced to relocate due to proximity to schools.

The legislation, Senate Bill 8469, was introduced today and referred to the Senate Rules Committee. It comes just one week after the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) sent letters to 152 adult-use dispensaries informing them that their current locations violate state regulations requiring they be at least 500 feet from a school property line. Many of these businesses were already licensed and operating, having previously received location approval from the state.Under the proposed measure, any dispensary that was approved before July 28, 2025, and found at the time to be compliant with state regulations—regardless of the business’s actual proximity to a school—would be considered in good standing for license renewal and ongoing operation. To qualify, the dispensary must not have violated any regulations and must remain in good standing with the OCM.

If enacted, the bill could prevent potentially hundreds of dispensaries from facing costly and disruptive relocations. OCM’s recent enforcement action drew backlash from retailers and lawmakers alike, with critics arguing that the state was unfairly penalizing businesses for location determinations that were originally greenlit by regulators.

The bill would take effect immediately if passed.