An overwhelming number of legal-pot-shop owners and licensees oppose loosening the buffer zone that bars cannabis stores from being located within 1,000 feet of each other, according to an industry poll.
The survey, conducted by the 300-member New York Cannabis Retail Association, found that 94% of respondents objected to changing the “proximity protection” rule.
The state Cannabis Control Board is considering offering waivers to the 1,000 feet rule for municipalities with more than 20,000 residents and the 2,000-foot buffer for towns with less population.
“The numbers speak for themselves. Our market is way too fragile to change the proximity protection rules,” said Jayson Tantalo, vice president of operations for the Retail Cannabis Association.
“The numbers speak for themselves. Our market is way too fragile to change the proximity protection rules,” said Jayson Tantalo, vice president of operations for the Retail Cannabis Association.
Tantalo and his wife, Britni, said they spent tens of thousands of dollars on rent while awaiting a license to open their cannabis dispensary, Flower City Dispensary in Victor near Rochester.
Tantalo said he heard cannabis regulators want to relax the buffer zone from 1,000 feet to 750 feet and from 2,000 to 1,750 feet in smaller towns.
“Our members do not want change. It throws instability in the market. There should not be any exceptions at all,” he said.