New York’s Office of Cannabis Management recently announced a policy change to double the number of conditional dispensaries allowed in the state, but existing zoning rules could cap the number of weed retailers in many Empire State communities.

The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act stipulates dispensaries are not allowed within 500 feet of school grounds, or 200 feet of a house of worship. Meanwhile, the OCM released guidance for conditional adult-use retail dispensaries that says these businesses cannot be within a 1,000-foot radius of another weed retailer in communities with more than 20,000 residents.

In communities with fewer residents, dispensaries cannot be within a 2,000 radius of each other, the guidance says.

Other states have placed similar zoning restrictions on weed retailers, but in many cases they’ve proven to be problematic and have led to lawsuits, said Chris Beals, former CEO of Weedmaps. And that’s something New York regulators should consider before enacting statewide rules for dispensary zoning, he said.

If local zoning boards have been able to control where communities want bars and liquor stores, Beals said, “why would you not default to that same, quite onerous framework for cannabis?”

The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act stipulates dispensaries are not allowed within 500 feet of school grounds, or 200 feet of a house of worship. Meanwhile, the OCM released guidance for conditional adult-use retail dispensaries that says these businesses cannot be within a 1,000-foot radius of another weed retailer in communities with more than 20,000 residents. [Read More @ Syracuse.com]