New York lawmakers just dropped a bombshell proposal that could let your corner liquor store sell cannabis-infused beers, seltzers, and cocktails right next to the vodka and cabernet. Two matching bills introduced this week would create a brand-new permit for wine and liquor shops to stock low-dose THC drinks and open a fresh revenue stream for thousands of small businesses.
The bold move marks the latest twist in New York’s fast-changing cannabis landscape and comes as legal weed sales finally start to climb after a rocky two-year rollout.
State Senator Jeremy Cooney, a Democrat from western Massachusetts who chairs the Senate’s Cannabis Subcommittee, teamed up with Queens Assemblymember John Zaccaro Jr., also a Democrat, to file identical legislation in both chambers last week.
The core idea is simple: any licensed liquor or wine store could pay $1,000 for a two-year “cannabis beverage retailer” permit. Once approved, owners could sell sealed, ready-to-drink products that contain no more than 10 milligrams of THC per container, the same limit already used for edibles across the state.
Stores would buy the drinks only from licensed cannabis processors, just like they buy whiskey from licensed distilleries today. Employees would still need basic training, and all current alcohol rules about hours, age checks, and no open containers would stay in place.
Why Liquor Stores Want In
New York’s roughly 2,500 independently owned liquor stores have watched cannabis dispensaries sprout up while their own sales stay flat or drop. Foot traffic has shifted, especially among younger customers who often pick weed over wine on Friday nights.
“Our members are hurting,” said Stefan Kalogridis, president of the Metropolitan Package Store Association, which represents hundreds of city shops. “This permit would let us compete fairly and keep neighborhood stores alive.”
Early numbers back him up. Adult-use cannabis sales hit $64.6 million in December 2024 alone, the state’s best month yet, according to the Office of Cannabis Management. Meanwhile, many liquor retailers report double-digit declines since the pandemic peak.
The Low-Dose Drink Boom
Cannabis drinks have exploded nationwide. Brands like Cann, Wynk, and Hi-Fi Hops now sit on shelves in California, Colorado, and Michigan liquor aisles with zero drama.
These beverages usually pack 2 to 5 milligrams of THC per can, about the same kick as one light beer for most people. Because the dose stays low and the cans are sealed, regulators see far less risk than flower or concentrates.
In New York, companies such as Ayrloom, Upstate Elevator, and Levia already make THC seltzers and tonics. Right now they can only sell through the state’s 160 licensed dispensaries, leaving thousands of liquor stores on the sidelines.
Safety and Enforcement Questions
Critics worry mixing alcohol and cannabis sales under one roof could confuse customers or tempt underage buyers. Cooney pushes back hard.
“These drinks replace alcohol, not add to it,” he told reporters Thursday. “You won’t see anyone cracking open a THC seltzer at the counter any more than you see someone shotgunning a beer in the store.”
The bills also ban any product that looks or tastes like an existing alcohol brand to prevent copycats. Regulators would run background checks on applicants and could yank the permit for any violation.
Public health advocates remain split. Some praise the tight 10-milligram cap and sealed-container rule. Others say even low-dose drinks carry risks, especially for new users who might not feel effects for an hour and over-drink.
Next Steps at the Capitol
Both bills landed in committee this week. Lawmakers have until June to pass them before the legislative session ends.
Governor Kathy Hochul has stayed quiet so far, but her office helped shape last year’s cannabis enforcement reforms and generally supports ideas that grow the legal market and hurt the black market.
If the measures pass, the state could start issuing permits as early as fall 2025. That timeline would line up nicely with summer patio season and give thirsty New Yorkers a brand-new buzz option.
New York keeps finding creative ways to blend its cannabis and alcohol worlds without letting them fully collide. First came cannabis-friendly lounges that ban booze, then farms that host weed-and-wine tours, and now liquor stores ready to stock THC spritzers next to the rosé. For thousands of shop owners staring at empty registers, this pair of bills feels less like a policy shift and more like a lifeline. Whether customers embrace the change or stick to old habits will decide if neighborhood liquor stores get a second life or slowly fade away.
