Related: <a title="NY Regulators Double CAURD Licenses For Cannabis Industry From 150 To 300" href="https://weedzly.com/library/new-york-regulators-double-the-amount-of-recreational-dispensary-licenses-from-150-to-300" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NY Regulators Double CAURD Licenses For Cannabis Industry From 150 To 300</a> Senator Luis R. Sep&uacute;lveda has recently introduced new legislation that would allow for retail cannabis dispensaries in New York to sell non-cannabis infused food, non alcoholic beverages, and to sell tickets for live musicals or other types of performances. If this bill were to pass, retail dispensaries would have to wait for approval from their local jurisdiction before starting the new activities.S5346 was first introduced on March 2nd and is still in the committee.&nbsp; Right now, <a href="https://weedzly.com/dispensaries/in/ny">licensed adult-use dispensaries in New York </a>are not allowed to even sell food or drinks to customers. The purpose of the S5346 is to "allow municipalities with jurisdiction over the premises to permit a licensee to conduct business activities on the premises other than smoking, vaping or ingestion of cannabis." In the Sponsor Memo, Sep&uacute;lveda makes clear why he thinks this bill should pass.&nbsp;
Justification:
"Research from Canna Connection shows cannabis lounges will be good for the community. Adults will have a space to consume cannabis without inconveniencing others, and children can avoid second-hand smoke. Cannabis lounges are successful in California as well as other parts of the world. Therefore, the cannabis law should be amended to allow cannabis lounges in New York as well. This bill can also assist the disproportionate amount of marginalized individuals who were in jail or prison due to marijuana charges, to develop a more successful and profitable business."&nbsp;&nbsp;
Senator Sep&uacute;lveda included references to the success of consumption lounges across California and other parts of the world as justification on why New York law should allow for them.&nbsp;
<h2 id="0">What Is S5346?</h2>
S5346 is an act to amend the cannabis law, in relation to permitting additional business activities on the premises where cannabis is sold for adult-use on-premises consumption. If this bill was to pass, local jurisdictions across New York would be able to decide if they want to implement these proposed changes. With the thousands of black market dispensaries across New York, competition is tough. Giving legal dispensaries the ability to sell food, beverages, and host events may play a big role in moving consumers over to the legal market. Many states have already permitted for cannabis lounges, including <a title="California" href="https://weedzly.com/library/amsterdam-style-cannabis-cafes-could-soon-be-a-reality-in-california">California</a>, Illinois, and Nevada. The exact text from the <a href="https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S5346">bill</a>&nbsp;is below: No adult-use on-site consumption licensee shall suffer, permit or promote activities or events on its premises wherein any person shall use such premises for activities including, but not limited to, gambling, exposing or simulating, contests, or fireworks that are prohibited by subdivision six, six-a, six-b, six-c or seven of section one hundred six of the alcoholic beverage control law or any &nbsp;other &nbsp;similar &nbsp;activities the board deems to be prohibited; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT A MUNICIPALITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER THE PREMISES MAY BY LOCAL LAW &nbsp;PERMIT A LICENSEE &nbsp;TO CONDUCT &nbsp;BUSINESS ACTIVITIES ON THE PREMISES OTHER THAN THE SMOKING, VAPORIZING, AND INGESTING OF &nbsp;CANNABIS &nbsp;OR &nbsp;CANNABIS PRODUCTS,&nbsp;INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: (A) SELLING NON-CANNABIS-INFUSED FOOD; (B) SELLING NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; AND (C) ALLOWING, AND SELLING TICKETS FOR, LIVE MUSICAL OR OTHER PERFORMANCES NOT OTHERWISE PROHIBITED BY THIS SUBDIVISION.
<h3 id="1">If Passed, What Would This Mean For Dispensaries?</h3>
If S5346 were to pass, <a title="adult-use dispensaries" href="https://weedzly.com/library/new-yorks-4th-recreational-dispensary-union-square-travel-agency-opens-in-nyc">adult-use dispensaries</a> who have a license for onsite consumption would be able to sell food, drinks, and host events. The legal cannabis market in New York is facing ongoing struggles with black market competitors. Illegal pot shops across the state already sell food, drinks, and do all kinds of things to drive in more customers. Allowing licensed dispensaries to sell food, drinks, and host concerts would be great, as these are all new ways that they could attract new customers and increase their revenue.
<h3 id="2">Who Created This Bill and Is It Likely To Pass?</h3>
This bill was introduced by Senator Luis R. Sep&uacute;lveda (D) of the 32nd Senate District. He was first elected as Senator in April 2018. Before being elected, Sep&uacute;lveda served for 3 terms as the Assemblyman for the 87th Assembly District. It's not obvious where the bill is headed as it's still in the committee, but New York legislators have a great opportunity to change New York's cannabis market for the better. You can track this bill and others by New York legislators <a title="here" href="https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1589557/">here</a>.