New York Assembly Bill A11107

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/24/26
• Refer: 4/24/26

Caption

Increases the distance allowed between cannabis storefronts and premises for adult-use on-site consumption and school grounds and houses of worship; restricts their distance with a child day care

Summary

A11107 amends New York’s cannabis law to expand the required buffer zones between cannabis retail locations and certain sensitive sites. The bill increases the distance a cannabis storefront must be from school grounds from 500 feet to 1,000 feet, and from a house of worship from 200 feet to 400 feet. It also adds child day care facilities as a protected location, prohibiting cannabis storefronts from being located within 1,000 feet of a child day care. The bill makes the same distance changes for adult-use on-site consumption licenses. Under the proposal, applicants could not receive an on-site consumption license for premises within 1,000 feet of school grounds or a child day care, or within 400 feet of a house of worship. The act would take effect 90 days after becoming law.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would tighten siting restrictions under the cannabis law by enlarging exclusion zones around schools, houses of worship, and newly added child day care facilities. This would likely reduce the number of eligible locations for cannabis storefronts and adult-use on-site consumption businesses, affecting applicants, existing licensees seeking relocation or expansion, and local communities near these protected sites. It would amend sections 72 and 77 of the cannabis law and incorporate definitions from the education law and social services law.

Sentiment

There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, so the bill’s sentiment must be inferred from its text and status. The proposal appears precautionary and restrictive, reflecting a policy preference for greater separation between cannabis businesses and sensitive community locations. Its referral to the Assembly Committee on Economic Development suggests it is still under consideration without documented public support or opposition in the available record.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the degree of separation required from cannabis businesses and whether the bill goes too far in limiting lawful cannabis commerce. Supporters would likely emphasize protecting children, worship spaces, and neighborhood character, especially by adding child day care centers to the protected list. Opponents may argue that doubling the setbacks from schools and houses of worship could unnecessarily constrain licensing opportunities, concentrate businesses in fewer areas, and make compliance more difficult for applicants and municipalities.