NY City Council To Hochul: Stop Cannabis Buffer Zone Loosening Because ‘It Encourages Illegal Sales’

Nine members of New York City’s “Common Sense” Caucus are taking a stand against the state’s Cannabis Control Board (CCB), urging Governor Kathy Hochul to block a proposal that could flood the city with more cannabis dispensaries.

This proposal, if approved, would allow waivers to the existing 1,000-foot buffer zone between legal cannabis shops, potentially permitting multiple dispensaries to operate on the same block, The New York Post reported.

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In a letter sent to Governor Hochul and CCB chairwoman Tremaine Wright, the council members voiced their concerns about the potential negative impact on New York City communities.

“Flooding our city with more dispensaries not only degrades the quality of life in these communities but also decreases the value of these licenses and only encourages more illegal sales,” the letter stated.

Overcrowded Market Concerns: Why NYC Lawmakers Are Alarmed

The council members, including representatives from Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the Bronx, argue that the current buffer zones are essential to maintaining a balanced and sustainable cannabis …

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