New York Cannabis Law sets minimum buffers between licensed dispensaries and schools or houses of worship, and Nassau County reinforces siting limits through its opt-out from adult-use retail.
Under NY Cannabis Law and OCM regulations, adult-use retail dispensaries must be sited at least 500 feet from school grounds and 200 feet from places of worship, with measurement rules defined by OCM. Nassau County opted out of adult-use retail entirely in 2022, so practical retail buffers do not arise within county jurisdiction. Should the County or one of its villages later opt in, OCM buffers would govern by default, and additional local zoning could impose larger setbacks from parks, libraries, and other sensitive uses consistent with state law.
Siting a licensed dispensary inside required buffers is grounds for OCM license denial, suspension, and revocation under NY Cannabis Law.
See how Nassau County's buffer zones rules stack up against other locations.
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