The New York Supreme Court issued a preliminary order against the Office of Cannabis Management to protect more than 150 cannabis dispensaries in the state from closure or forced relocation.
In the ruling signed on September 29 by Judge Savona, the OCM is required to return to the previous method of measuring distances between schools and dispensaries, which was outlined in the 11 March 2024. Guide for Retail Adult Use Dispensaries.
Injunctions that are effective up to 15 February 2020 apply both to renewal and new license applications made by current licensees, as well applicants, during the period.
The petitioners’ attorney, Jorge Luis Vasquez Jr. said, “This preliminary order is critical to the safety of more than 150 dispensaries that are tax paying and in compliance with New York law.”
The court ensures stability as the larger issues are litigated by requiring OCM to follow its prior instructions.
The lawsuit, which was filed by Housing Works Cannabis Co. on August 15, challenges OCM’s interpretation of the zoning regulations regarding proximity to places of worship and schools. This court order can be extended for another six months if the proceedings are still ongoing.
Join 300+ Industry Leaders at MEDCAN24 New York — an exclusive one-day event presented by Prohibition Partners You can also check out our other articles. The Wythe, Williamsburg The following are some of the most effective ways to improve your own effectiveness. The month of November is a time to reflect on the past and look forward. 6, 2025.
The VIP event will gather investors, operators, and policymakers in order to discuss strategies that can be used to drive investment and accelerate retail growth on the New York Cannabis market.
Join the discussion to shape the future of cannabis legalization in New York.
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Origins of the Dispute
The legal challenge follows revelations in early August that the OCM had been approving dispensary sites using an incorrect ‘door-to-door’ measurement, similar to liquor store regulations, rather than the property-line standard required under New York’s cannabis law.
The following are some of the ways to get in touch with us. MEDCAN24 Reports at the time indicated that the mistaken calculation left 105 licensed marijuana dispensaries with 60 already in operation and 47 pending applications technically violating zoning laws.
Governor Kathy Hochul described the error as a ‘critical oversight’ by former OCM leadership and directed the state to support affected businesses through a new US$15 million Applicant Relief Programme, offering grants of up to US$250,000 to help eligible applicants cover relocation or compliance costs. The programme is not available to licensed operators.
Industry leaders have criticized the handling of this matter by the OCM. Matthew Bernardo said, as president of Housing Works Inc.: “The OCM’s Directive placed retailers into untenable situations, jeopardizing their access and ability to enter lease, banking or investment agreements, while driving compliant business out of compliance by no fault of theirs.”
Curaleaf chair Boris Jordan also accused regulators of ‘blatantly disregarding’ the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act’s zoning provisions, calling it a “pattern of reckless decisions” that continues to drive consumers toward the illicit market.
Wider Implications
Nearly 90 percent of dispensaries that are affected by OCM’s reinterpretation belong to Conditional Adult Use Retail (CAURD), individuals who come from communities which were disproportionately impacted in the past by cannabis enforcement. Advocates say that regulatory instabilities threaten to undermine the social equity goals of the state.
The Cannabis Place’s CEO Osbert Osduna stated that the injunction presented a great opportunity for Hochul to create a law to protect thousands of cannabis-related jobs, and to ensure consumers have access to tested products.
The petitioners maintain that they will continue to work closely with the state in order to achieve a just and permanent solution. In the meantime, the injunction gives temporary relief to small business owners facing the possibility of closing down stores built under the supervision of the state.
New York Court blocks State from Forcing Dispensary Moves first appeared on MEDCAN24.
The New York Supreme Court issued a preliminary order against the Office of Cannabis Management to protect more than 150 cannabis dispensaries in the state from closure or forced relocation.
This ruling was signed by the Judge Savona in September. It requires that the OCM revert back to its old method for calculating the distance between the dispensaries (doctor’s offices) and the schools as described in their 11 March, 2024. Guide for Retail Adult Use Dispensaries.
Injunctions that are effective up to 15 February 2020 apply both to renewals and new license applications.
The petitioners’ attorney, Jorge Luis Vasquez Jr. said, “This preliminary order is critical to the safety of more than 150 dispensaries that are tax paying and in compliance with New York law.”
The court ensured that the OCM would follow its prior instructions, ensuring stability as the larger issues were litigated.
The 15th of August, a coalition including Housing Works Cannabis Co. Conbud The Cannabis Place, and other licensed retailers filed a lawsuit challenging the OCM’s new interpretation of zoning laws regarding proximity of schools and places for worship. This court order can be extended for another six months if the proceedings are still ongoing.
Join 300+ Industry Leaders at MEDCAN24 New York — an exclusive one-day event presented by Prohibition Partners You can also check out our other articles. The Wythe, Williamsburg The following are some of the most effective ways to improve your own effectiveness. The month of November is a time to reflect on the past and look forward. 6, 2025.
The VIP event will gather investors, operators, and policymakers in order to discuss strategies that can be used to drive investment and accelerate retail growth on the New York Cannabis market.
Join the discussion to shape the future of cannabis legalization in New York.
Now is the time to secure your spot
Origins of the Dispute
The legal challenge follows revelations in early August that the OCM had been approving dispensary sites using an incorrect ‘door-to-door’ measurement, similar to liquor store regulations, rather than the property-line standard required under New York’s cannabis law.
The following are some of the ways to get in touch with us. MEDCAN24 The miscalculation, as reported, left 105 dispensaries in violation, of which 60 were already operational, while 47 applicants pending were technically violating zoning regulations.
Governor Kathy Hochul described the error as a ‘critical oversight’ by former OCM leadership and directed the state to support affected businesses through a new US$15 million Applicant Relief Programme, offering grants of up to US$250,000 to help eligible applicants cover relocation or compliance costs. The programme is not available to licensed operators.
Several industry leaders have criticized the handling of the matter by the OCM. Matthew Bernardo of Housing Works Inc. said that the OCM directive put retailers in an “unacceptable position, putting their access to bank, investment, and lease agreements at risk while forcing compliant businesses out of compliance through no fault on their part.”
Curaleaf chair Boris Jordan also accused regulators of ‘blatantly disregarding’ the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act’s zoning provisions, calling it a “pattern of reckless decisions” that continues to drive consumers toward the illicit market.
Wider Implications
Nearly 90 percent of dispensaries that are affected by OCM’s reinterpretation belong to Conditional Adult Use Retail (CAURD), individuals who come from communities who were disproportionately impacted in the past by cannabis enforcement. Advocates are concerned that the regulatory uncertainty could undermine social equity efforts by the state.
The Cannabis Place CEO, Osbert Ortuna said, “The injunction is a rare opportunity for Governor Hochul, to take the lead on a solution to save thousands of jobs and ensure access to products that are tested and regulated, while also saving legal cannabis.”
The petitioners maintain that they will continue to work closely with the state in order to achieve a just and permanent solution. In the meantime, the injunction gives temporary relief to small business owners facing the possibility of closing down stores built under the supervision of the state.
New York Court blocks State from Forcing Dispensary Moves first appeared on MEDCAN24.
Cannabis Law Resources in Poland
Browse essential legal pages on cannabis sales and cultivation in Poland. You can use these resources to learn about the requirements for certifications, permissions and compliance.
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Polish News Registration and Interests of Cannabis Businesses
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Permissions for Cannabis Sales in Poland
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Authorization for Importing or Manufacturing Medical Products
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Permission for Manufacturing or Importing Medical Products
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Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
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Registration of Medical Products in Poland