--- title: OCM Criticizes Riverhead Ban; Town Defiantly Responds description: OCM rejects Riverhead's restrictive cannabis dispensary ban, calling it impracticable and in conflict with state law. image: https://420intel.com/hubfs/gras-grun-jqDh2Uwj2ZI-unsplash.jpg --- [![420intel.com](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%2016-1.png?width=300&height=162&name=Asset%2016-1.png "420intel.com")](https://420intel.com) - [Home](https://420intel.com) - [Advertise](https://420intel.com/advertise) - [Directory](https://420intel.com/directory) - [Topics](https://420intel.com/blog) - [Recreational News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) - [Business News](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-business-news) - [Politics](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-politics) - [Technology](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-technology-news) - [Research](https://420intel.com/tag/medical-cannabis-news) - [Contact](https://420intel.com/contact-us) - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/420-intel/) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://x.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) ### Press ESC to close [![420intel.com](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%2016-1.png?width=300&height=162&name=Asset%2016-1.png "420intel.com")](https://420intel.com) - [Home](https://420intel.com) - [Advertise](https://420intel.com/advertise) - [Directory](https://420intel.com/directory) - [Topics](https://420intel.com/blog) - [Recreational News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) - [Business News](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-business-news) - [Politics](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-politics) - [Technology](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-technology-news) - [Research](https://420intel.com/tag/medical-cannabis-news) - [Contact](https://420intel.com/contact-us) - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/420-intel/) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://x.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) # OCM Criticizes Riverhead Ban; Town Defiantly Responds - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - [Cannabis Laws](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-laws) - 13 October 2025 ### OCM Rejects Riverhead Ban on Cannabis Dispensaries, Calling It “Unreasonably Impracticable” The ongoing dispute between the New York State **OCM** (Office of Cannabis Management) and the Town of Riverhead has intensified after the **OCM** rejected the proposed **Riverhead Ban** on new cannabis dispensaries. The **OCM** issued an advisory opinion on October 6, declaring the **Riverhead Ban** which included a moratorium, strict zoning limits, and a municipal approval requirement to be “unreasonably impracticable” under state cannabis law. According to the **OCM**, the **Riverhead Ban** unfairly restricts cannabis businesses and violates state regulations that ensure fair access for licensed operators. Two dispensary licensees, Brian Stark Enterprises and Tink & E, Co., filed complaints with the **OCM** after their applications were delayed or denied due to the **Riverhead Ban**. In its ruling, the **OCM** stated that Riverhead’s regulations, such as doubling the distance between dispensaries and schools or residential areas, exceeded the limits allowed under state law. The **OCM** emphasized that municipalities can regulate the “time, place, and manner” of cannabis operations including hours, traffic, and noise  but the **Riverhead Ban** went beyond those powers by effectively blocking dispensary openings. Riverhead Town Attorney Erik Howard strongly disagreed with the **OCM**’s position, arguing that the **Riverhead Ban** was a legitimate land-use control.   Howard said, calling the **OCM**’s advisory opinion “non-binding overreach.” Attorneys for the affected dispensaries welcomed the **OCM**’s intervention. “You can’t continue to use a moratorium meant for emergencies to block legal cannabis businesses,” said Andrew Schiever of Holland & Schiever LLP, who represents Tink & E, Co. Likewise, Brian Stark’s attorney, Martha Reichert, argued that the **Riverhead Ban** was “dead in the water” since it hadn’t been enacted before the **OCM**’s decision. The **OCM** ruling follows a July court decision in which Suffolk State Supreme Court Justice Paul Hensley struck down a 1,000-foot buffer rule in the **Riverhead Ban**, finding it inconsistent with the state’s 500-foot standard. Despite the **OCM**’s opinion, Riverhead officials have voted to appeal that ruling, continuing the legal battle. In closing, the **OCM** reaffirmed that while towns can manage local cannabis operations, the **Riverhead Ban** represents a direct conflict with state law. As the debate continues, the **OCM**’s stance could set a precedent for how far local governments can go in restricting legal cannabis businesses making the **Riverhead Ban** a pivotal test case in New York’s cannabis industry.   [by Riverhead News Review - Times Review](https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2025/10/129284/ocm-calls-riverheads-pot-dispensary-moratorium-unreasonably-impracticable-but-town-pushes-back/)   [Cannabis Laws](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-laws) [Marijuana legalization](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/marijuana-legalization) ![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=200&height=200&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) #### [Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) At 420 Intel, we cover cannabis legalization news throughout the world, offer reliable information for cannabis business owners, detail technological advances that impact the marijuana industry, cover marijuana rallies from across the globe, and everything in between. - - - [Recreational Cannabis News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) [![Riverhead CAP offers free locking bags for cannabis storage](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/In%20a%20bright%20modern%20dispensary%20a%20smiling%20staff%20member%20stands%20behind%20a%20sleek%20counter%20lined%20with%20an%20array%20of%20colorful%20cannabis%20products%20Shelves%20filled%20with%20eyecatching%20packaging%20of%20edibles%20gummies%20and%20infused%20drinks%20create%20a%20vibrant%20backdrop%20In%20the%20fore-1.jpeg?width=550&height=395&name=In%20a%20bright%20modern%20dispensary%20a%20smiling%20staff%20member%20stands%20behind%20a%20sleek%20counter%20lined%20with%20an%20array%20of%20colorful%20cannabis%20products%20Shelves%20filled%20with%20eyecatching%20packaging%20of%20edibles%20gummies%20and%20infused%20drinks%20create%20a%20vibrant%20backdrop%20In%20the%20fore-1.jpeg)](https://420intel.com/blog/riverhead-cap-offers-free-locking-bags-for-cannabis-storage) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 28 April 2025 #### [Riverhead CAP offers free locking bags for cannabis storage](https://420intel.com/blog/riverhead-cap-offers-free-locking-bags-for-cannabis-storage) With the opening oftwo dispensaries in Riverhead, including the largest cannabis store in the... [Cannabis Business News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-business-news) [![Way cleared for Cannabis dispensary in Wood River](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Way%20cleared%20for%20Cannabis%20dispensary%20in%20Wood%20River.jpg?width=550&height=395&name=Way%20cleared%20for%20Cannabis%20dispensary%20in%20Wood%20River.jpg)](https://420intel.com/blog/way-cleared-cannabis-dispensary-wood-river) - [Admin](https://420intel.com/blog/author/admin) - 7 March 2024 #### [Way cleared for Cannabis dispensary in Wood River](https://420intel.com/blog/way-cleared-cannabis-dispensary-wood-river) ## Wood River Cannabis Dispensary Gets Green Light as Council Opts Against Referendum. There will be a... [Medical Cannabis News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/medical-cannabis-news) [![Study explores the effects of recent and lifetime cannabis use on brain function](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-editor-ui-fc436821-7640-4fe1-adc4-a28a6760168e-1.png?width=550&height=395&name=blog-editor-ui-fc436821-7640-4fe1-adc4-a28a6760168e-1.png)](https://420intel.com/blog/study-explores-the-effects-of-recent-and-lifetime-cannabis-use-on-brain-function) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 30 January 2025 #### [Study explores the effects of recent and lifetime cannabis use on brain function](https://420intel.com/blog/study-explores-the-effects-of-recent-and-lifetime-cannabis-use-on-brain-function) A new study published today in*JAMA Network Open*explores the effects of both recent and lifetime... - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) Back to Top ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Buzz", "url" : "https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz" }, "dateModified" : "2025-10-13T14:17:19.441Z", "datePublished" : "2025-10-13T12:01:45.000Z", "headline" : "OCM Criticizes Riverhead Ban; Town Defiantly Responds", "image" : [ "https://420intel.com/hubfs/gras-grun-jqDh2Uwj2ZI-unsplash.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://420intel.com/blog/ocm-criticizes-riverhead-ban-town-defiantly-responds", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://420intel.com/hubfs/Asset%2016.png" }, "name" : "420 Intel" } } ```