🏛️ ALBANY – GOVERNOR FORCES OCM LEADERSHIP CHANGE AFTER ENFORCEMENT COLLAPSE
The Setup:
Governor Kathy Hochul demanded the immediate resignation of Felicia A.B. Reid, Acting Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management, on December 8. The move followed OCM’s withdrawal of an enforcement case against Omnium Health less than 24 hours before trial.
The Impact:
New leadership at OCM means potential changes to licensing pace, enforcement priorities, and how the state handles municipal conflicts. Hochul said OCM “has stood in the way of the market realizing its potential” – signaling frustration with slow rollout and inconsistent enforcement. Expect policy shifts in Q1 2026.
The Opportunity:
If you have pending applications or compliance issues, new leadership may bring fresh review processes. Operators should monitor how the transition affects licensing timelines and enforcement posture. Strong applications that have stalled could get second looks.
Strategic Angle:
Reach out to your OCM contacts before year-end. New leadership may deprioritize incomplete files or reset priorities. Get ahead of any documentation gaps now while relationships still exist.
Source:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/08/nyregion/cannabis-regulators-omnium.html
⚠️ SOUTHAMPTON – ATTORNEY GENERAL CALLS LOCAL ZONING “FLAT-OUT ILLEGAL”
The Setup:
The New York Attorney General’s Office issued a formal legal letter asserting Southampton’s retail dispensary regulations are “unreasonably impracticable” and illegal, arguing they add restrictions beyond state law and interfere with the state framework. This follows October’s state preemption ruling that allowed Charlie Fox Dispensary to open despite local ordinance.
The Impact:
The AG is establishing precedent that restrictive local zoning violates state preemption under Cannabis Law Section 72. Southampton’s restrictions included buffer zones and density caps beyond state requirements. Other municipalities with similar rules are now vulnerable to challenges.
The Opportunity:
If you’ve been blocked by local ordinances in wealthy suburbs (Hamptons, Westchester), the AG’s position creates openings. Sites previously deemed non-compliant with local rules may qualify under state law alone. Charlie Fox proved the model works – they opened after state preemption.
Strategic Angle:
Identify sites in restrictive municipalities within 30 days. File state applications and request preemption reviews if local boards deny you. The AG’s letter gives OCM political cover to override local objections.
Source:
https://www.aol.com/articles/ny-ag-blasts-tony-southampton-224918825.html
🏛️ BROOKLYN – COMMUNITY BOARD 14 REVIEWS TWO DISPENSARY APPLICATIONS
The Setup:
Brooklyn Community Board 14 held public hearings December 8 on two retail cannabis applications: BK Exotic Outlet LLC (1056 Flatbush Avenue, renewal) and Myrtle 2 LLC (1713 Church Avenue, new license). The board provides advisory recommendations to the State Office of Cannabis Management.
The Impact:
Community board votes don’t control licensing, but negative recommendations can slow state approval. Both locations are in active retail corridors with existing foot traffic. BK Exotic’s renewal signals the state is processing second-generation licenses. Myrtle 2’s new application shows demand for additional capacity in Brooklyn.
The Opportunity:
Brooklyn remains one of NYC’s strongest cannabis markets. If you’re looking for locations, focus on areas where community boards have approved recent applications – it indicates local acceptance and streamlines state review. Flatbush and Church Avenue corridors have proven demand.
Strategic Angle:
Track community board calendars across NYC boroughs. Applications that pass board review move faster through OCM. Engage boards early if you’re planning Brooklyn expansion – positive relationships matter when renewals come up.
Source:
https://cb14brooklyn.com/meeting/december-2025-board-meeting/
🏛️ ALBANY – STATE CANNABIS CONTROL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 18
The Setup:
The New York State Cannabis Control Board scheduled its next meeting for December 18, 2025 in Albany. Agenda and timing will be posted 7-10 days in advance. The board typically covers retail licensing actions, license amendments, transfers, and advisory opinions on municipal zoning conflicts.
The Impact:
This is the first board meeting after the OCM leadership change. Expect discussion of how the transition affects licensing operations and enforcement priorities. The board may address Southampton and other municipal zoning conflicts given the AG’s intervention. License approvals could accelerate if the Governor’s pressure translates to faster processing.
The Opportunity:
If you have pending applications or amendment requests, monitor the December 18 agenda closely. The board meeting is where final licensing decisions happen. Public comment opens when the agenda posts – use it if your application needs attention or if local zoning is blocking you.
Strategic Angle:
Submit public comments within 72 hours of agenda posting if you need board action on pending items. Reference the Governor’s statement about removing barriers to market growth. New leadership wants wins – help them by flagging what’s stuck.
Source:
https://cannabis.ny.gov/cannabis-control-board-meetings
📋 ALBANY – ASSEMBLY BILL PROPOSES 200-FOOT ADDICTION CENTER BUFFER
The Setup:
Assembly Bill A9282, introduced November 21, proposes to prohibit cannabis retail stores within 200 feet of addiction treatment centers. The bill is pending in the Assembly Committee on Economic Development and not yet enacted.
The Impact:
If passed, this adds another statewide siting constraint on top of existing school and religious institution buffers. Addiction treatment centers are common in urban areas, particularly in communities with high substance abuse rates. The 200-foot buffer could eliminate otherwise compliant sites in dense neighborhoods.
The Opportunity:
The bill is at committee stage and may not advance, but operators should start mapping treatment center locations in target markets now. If you’re securing sites, confirm they’re 200+ feet from treatment centers to avoid future complications if the bill passes.
Strategic Angle:
Engage industry associations to comment on the bill before committee hearings. Emphasize that excessive buffers concentrate dispensaries in limited zones, creating competitive bottlenecks. Propose alternative approaches like operating hour restrictions instead.
Source:
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A9282
The Bottom Line
December’s leadership shakeup at OCM signals the state wants faster licensing and fewer local barriers. The AG’s move against Southampton shows the state will challenge restrictive municipal ordinances. Brooklyn keeps processing applications, proving the NYC market is stable. The December 18 board meeting is critical – watch for licensing acceleration and zoning guidance. If you’ve been waiting on approvals or fighting local restrictions, momentum may finally shift your way.
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