New York pot shop-to-school distance mistake may force dozens to relocate

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Transcript

00:00More than 100 New York marijuana shops are in limbo after officials admitted a big mistake

00:05and business owners are wondering how this could have happened.

00:10This was a blunder that went through multiple checks and balances within the state.

00:15State officials say they improperly measured the distance between some shops and schools.

00:20Under state law, cannabis shops must be at least 500 feet from a school.

00:24But instead of measuring from the edge of the school's property,

00:27regulators were mistakenly measuring from the entrance in many cases.

00:31I'm reading this letter. It was very nondescript at first.

00:34And I'm like, oh, somebody's just spamming me or pranking me.

00:38And the further I read, I realized this was a serious letter telling me that I would not be renewed for my license

00:47due to a proximity protection error that the state made.

00:51That letter was sent out in July.

00:53In it, the acting executive director of the cannabis agency said,

00:56To give you this news and for the weight of it, I am incredibly sorry.

01:01Dozens of shops already open were given the wrong measurements as well as many pending businesses

01:05and those awaiting license approval.

01:08The state has created a fund for pot shop owners where they can be awarded up to $250,000 for relocation costs.

01:15But it doesn't apply to a business already in operation.

01:18The shops already open with improper boundaries can remain open until a legislative fix or final decision is made,

01:25even those with expired permits, so long as they apply for renewals.

01:29Officials also say businesses can obtain proof of a valid license or a letter of good standing by contacting the cannabis office.

01:37Still, owners say that doesn't fix other issues.

01:40For people whose licenses actually expire before they can come through with a legislative fix,

01:47insurance companies cannot actually insure you if you do not have an active license.

01:53For insurance and banking, there is no limbo.

01:56Governor Kathy Hochul is pushing lawmakers to come up with a solution once they meet again in January

02:01and pledge to owners everything will be okay.

02:04Shop owners are holding her and other elected officials to that promise.

02:08Governor Hochul, the bowl is in your court.

02:12OCM, it's in your court as well.

02:15Mayor Adams, the three of you and your organizations, this is on you to fix.

02:21And there are clear fixes.

02:24Do not wait until it's too late.

02:26For Shade Arrow News, I'm Lauren Keenan.

02:28If you want more on this story, download the Shade Arrow News app or visit san.com.