Provides for minimum requirements for a conditional adult-use retail dispensary license.
Impact
The proposed bill is intended to create opportunities for individuals affected by previous cannabis laws, particularly those who are justice involved. By requiring that at least 51% of the business be owned by individuals meeting these criteria, the legislation seeks to address social equity within the rapidly growing cannabis industry. This could lead to a more diverse ownership landscape, potentially mitigating the impacts of historical enforcement disparities in drug-related offenses and thereby promoting equity in the emerging market.
Summary
S07890 aims to amend the existing cannabis law in New York by introducing a Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary License. This bill outlines the minimum requirements for applicants wishing to participate in the adult-use cannabis retail market. Key stipulations include that applicants must either demonstrate a substantial presence in New York or have a majority of ownership comprised of New York residents. The bill emphasizes the inclusion of 'justice involved' individuals, defined as those who had prior convictions related to cannabis offenses in New York State before a specified date, or those with familial ties to such individuals.
Contention
Despite its focus on social equity, there are potential points of contention surrounding S07890. Critics may argue that the requirements could unnecessarily complicate the licensing process or place additional barriers to entry for traditional business applicants who might not meet the justice-involved criteria. Supporters, however, reinforce that the bill is a step towards rectifying past injustices associated with cannabis prohibition and ensuring that communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs can benefit from legal cannabis sales.
Permits any police officer to enforce licensure requirements of retail dispensaries by closing retail locations which sell cannabis without a license; allows seizure of the instrumentality of the unlawful sales, including real estate.
Permits municipalities to enforce licensure requirements of retail dispensaries by closing retail locations which sell cannabis without a license; allows seizure of the instrumentality of the unlawful sales, including real estate.
Permits municipalities to enforce licensure requirements of retail dispensaries by closing retail locations which sell cannabis without a license; allows seizure of the instrumentality of the unlawful sales, including real estate.
Enacts the "cannabis oversight and official engagement act"; requires the office of cannabis management to notify appropriate elected officials of applications for adult-use retail dispensaries in their legislative districts; requires the office to consider any responses from such elected officials in determining an application for an adult-use retail dispensary license; requires such communications to be made public.
Prohibits new cannabis dispensaries from opening up within five hundred feet of other licensed cannabis dispensaries; provides an exception if the location of such premises is in the public interest.
Requires the cannabis control board to provide notice to state legislative representatives upon receipt of application for an adult-use cannabis retail dispensary or on-site consumption license in their district.
Requires the cannabis control board to provide notice to state legislative representatives upon receipt of application for an adult-use cannabis retail dispensary or on-site consumption license in their district.
Exempts the town of Pound Ridge from the establishment of retail dispensary licenses and on-site consumption licenses for cannabis, provided that the town adopts a local law prohibiting the establishment of such licenses.
Exempts the town of Pound Ridge from the establishment of retail dispensary licenses and on-site consumption licenses for cannabis, provided that the town adopts a local law prohibiting the establishment of such licenses.
Authorizes conditional adult-use cultivator and processor licensees to sell tested, packaged, and sealed cannabis products or biomass to a cannabis dispensing facility licensed or permitted by a tribal nation for retail sale.