From ABC7NY: Office of Cannabis Management says dozens of licensed shops are actually too close to schools

From: ABC7NY.com

NEW YORK (WABC) -- When New York State started licensing dispensaries like Alto on Chambers Street, part of the goal was to right the wrongs of the past.

But now the agency that regulates the shops claims it needs to right a newly discovered wrong.

The Office Of Cannabis Management admits it made the mistake of licensing dozens of dispensaries that are within 500 feet of schools by measuring the distance to the door instead of the property line.

In a memo to its staff, it said "this approach did not align with" the law.

Now dispensary owners are hoping they don't have to move.

"It wasn't our error. This error wasn't made on our side, or our part," Alto Dispensary co-owner Daniela Savocchi said.

The downtown dispensary is a family business.

"It was shocking to us. We followed the application process in good faith. The location was approved by the state," Andre Savocchi said.

Despite being surrounded by empty storefronts, the dispensary draws continuous foot traffic.

It's not clear which school it is too close to but the state says it's in violation by just 17 feet.

"I hope the state decides that anybody who is in violation of said law are able to be grandfathered into the space that they were approved for, originally," Nicole Savocchi said.

In an interview for Up Close with Bill Ritter, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she wants lawmakers to do essentially that.

"We'll make sure we get the changes in the legislature, because I don't want anyone who's worked so hard and put their heart and soul into this business to be subjected to something that was more of a bureaucratic screwup but has real-life consequences," Hochul said.

The OCM acknowledges the mess up, but still intends to enforce the rule.

"If we expect the cannabis community to follow the law and OCM's rules, then we must, too," the OCM said.

The Savocchis hope to see a wrong righted so they can stay in the beloved shop they opened last year, with each sibling bringing their own skills to the business.

"And here we are together, selling weed with our parents," Stephanie Savocchi said.

The agency is not asking anyone to cease operations or move. The OCM, in partnership with the governor's office, is aggressively seeking legislative solutions to allow folks to stay put, it says.

Applicants impacted by the correction may apply for the Applicant Relief Program, receiving $250k for expenses related to their location.