Bronx dispensary faces community backlash, potential closure due to its distance to school
A recent error admitted by the Office of Cannabis Management now finds that dispensaries can't be within 500 feet of a school's property line.
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Adult cannabis dispensary Hush is facing a potential shutdown from the state due to its proximity to a school.
The dispensary has been open in Williamsbridge for over a year.
A recent error admitted by the Office of Cannabis Management now finds that dispensaries can't be within 500 feet of a school's property line.
The dispensary is located across the street from P.S. 89 - The Williamsbridge School Middle school.
Some residents say it shouldn't have been open in the first place.
"It should be placed farther from the school," said resident Pheobe Collins. "There are lots of students."
Others, like District 80 Assembly Member John Zaccaro, Jr., disagree, noting that context is key.
"We can have a successful program, while also making sure that we don't encroach on quality-of-life and public safety," said Zaccaro.
Levent Ozkuart, vice president of Hush, says the looming deadline of his shop's potential closing could cost him the loss of products and his life savings.
Ozkuart argues that he should be grandfathered into the law because he originally followed the rules and regulations prior to the mishap.
"Guidelines were, you have to 500 feet away from a school - we're 528 door-to-door," he says.
The Office of Cannabis Mangement tells News 12 that alongside Gov. Kathy Hochul, it is "planning to propose a legislative amendment to cannabis law during the 2026 legislative session that applies to impacted licensees and applicants."
