Cannabis shops in New York that were mistakenly approved too close to schools can stay open, according to the Times Union. State officials say they’ll fix the issue by changing the law, not revoking licenses.
The problem came from a revised interpretation of the 500-foot rule—switching from measuring from a school’s front door to its property line. That change impacted 108 open dispensaries and 44 pending applications, mostly in NYC.
Gov. Kathy Hochul called it a “major screwup” and blamed former agency leadership. A legislative fix is expected in 2026, with some applicants offered up to $250K in aid while they wait.
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