As the blame continues to shift over the state Office of Cannabis Management’s (OCM) sudden change to how it measures its proximity rule, impacted dispensary owners rallied on the steps of City Hall on Friday, warning their livelihoods are at stake unless Gov. Kathy Hochul calls a special legislative session in October.

On July 28, OCM reinterpreted its 500-foot buffer rule to measure from a school or house of worship’s property line instead of its entrance, a shift that could force 108 licensed dispensaries, including 89 in New York City, to close or relocate despite prior approval under the old standard. Another 44 license applicants are also affected statewide.

The OCM and Gov. Hochul have since pledged support for the open dispensaries and license applicants impacted, saying that lic

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