Over 100 authorized New York hashish dispensaries could possibly be compelled to relocate following a monumental blunder from the state’s Workplace of Hashish Administration (OCM).
New York’s OCM and its greater brother, the Hashish Management Board (CCB), aren’t any strangers to controversy or criticism.
During the last two years, they’ve been constantly sued by operators, embroiled in scandals over the financing of their CUARD scheme, described as ‘disastrous’ by Governor Kathy Hochul, and endured a scathing ‘top-down’ inner evaluation (amongst many different failures).
Now, in what has been described as a ‘catastrophic failure of governance’, the OCM introduced this week that for over two years, it has been approving hashish retailer places primarily based on the fallacious zoning rule.
In accordance with its assertion, the OCM has been assessing whether or not dispensaries are too shut to a college or place of worship utilizing a door-to-door measurement, just like how liquor shops are regulated.
Nevertheless, New York’s hashish regulation says dispensaries should be not less than 500 toes away from a college’s whole property line, not simply the entrance door.
The place is our assist?
The suicide hotline quantity?
Stop gaslighting.
You’ve misplaced the belief of NY’ers & what little respect you had together with your deceit & vanity.
You’re the joke of the trade.
We wish our due reparations & retribution.— CannaLabs (@cannalabs420) July 31, 2025
In impact, which means that 105 licensed hashish companies (60 of that are operational) are actually in violation of this zoning rule, alongside 47 candidates who’re presently in numerous levels of being authorized.
Governor Hochul described the scenario as a ‘vital oversight’ by former OCM management, and is now searching for legislative modifications to mitigate the difficulty.
A spokesperson for Hochul mentioned: “At her course, the State is taking rapid motion to assist hashish retailer homeowners impacted by this situation. We’re laser-focused on ensuring these small enterprise homeowners, who’ve poured their coronary heart and soul into these outlets, aren’t left paying the worth for the earlier management’s screw-up.”
In the meantime, a brand new fund has been set as much as assist companies affected, a lot of which have spent years and tens, generally a whole bunch of 1000’s of {dollars}, establishing their shops.
The state is launching a $15 million ‘Applicant Aid Program’, wherein eligible licensees could obtain as much as $250,000 to assist cowl relocation or compliance prices.
Regardless of efforts to amend laws and allow companies to maintain their premises, the OCM acknowledged there isn’t any assure the legislature will approve the proposed repair, leaving some licensees in limbo.
Unsurprisingly, this newest blunder has drawn fierce criticism from all sides.
Boris Jordan, Curaleaf Chairman and CEO, went so far as suggesting that ‘the OCM blatantly and knowingly disregarded the MRTA’s (Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act’s) proximity provisions, violating each state and federal regulation on a number of bases.’
“Dispensaries and their homeowners mustn’t undergo because of the intentional disregard for the regulation by the OCM and the administration. The state should be held accountable.
“After the MRTA (handed, we believed that New York had a shot at constructing one of many nation’s best hashish markets. However as a substitute, we’ve seen a sample of reckless selections, blatant disregard for enterprise homeowners, sufferers and clients and extra. These failures have pushed customers straight again into the illicit market, robbing the state of tax {dollars} and job alternatives.
“To each licensee impacted by the OCM’s zoning error: be a part of us in combating this lawlessness and guaranteeing the state solves this for New Yorkers. Contact us at NYFightsBack@Curaleaf.com to face with us.”
