New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney (D) introduced legislation today that would establish new eligibility requirements for conditional adult-use marijuana retail dispensary licenses.
New York State Capitol Building.
The measure, Senate Bill 7890, has been referred to the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee. Proponents say it’s designed to ensure that licenses are granted to individuals or organizations with strong ties to New York and a record of involvement in communities disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition.
To qualify, applicants must meet strict residency and organizational criteria, including a requirement that at least 51% ownership belongs to people who have been personally impacted by past marijuana convictions or are part of qualifying nonprofit organizations.
To be eligible, individuals must show a significant presence in New York and justice involvement—either directly or through close family members—with a marijuana-related conviction in the state prior to March 31, 2021. Applicants must also demonstrate prior business experience, having held at least 10% ownership in a profitable business for two years or more.
Nonprofit organizations are eligible if they serve justice-involved communities and maintain a record of social enterprise success, employment, and leadership by those affected by past marijuana laws.
Senator Cooney’s bill includes a mandate that the state Office of Cannabis Management evaluate applications based on weighted criteria including the type and success of prior businesses, the applicant’s connection to communities harmed by prior enforcement, and any past regulatory violations.
If passed, the bill would also require the Office to process location approval requests within 30 days or else approve them automatically, provided they meet zoning requirements.
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