New York Bills Advance Low-THC Drinks in Liquor Stores

NEW YORK – A fresh legislative push in New York could soon let customers pick up low-dose Cannabis beverages at their neighborhood liquor store, blending two longstanding retail worlds under tight rules.

State Senator Jeremy Cooney (D), who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Cannabis, introduced Senate Bill S9220 with a companion measure, Assembly Bill A10191, sponsored by Assemblymember John Zaccaro Jr. (D). The bills would create a special “low potency Cannabis beverage retail permit” issued by the State Liquor Authority, allowing licensed off-premises liquor and wine stores to stock and sell single-use Cannabis drinks containing no more than 5 milligrams of total THC per serving. All products must come from licensed New York adult-use Cannabis manufacturers.

The proposal responds directly to rising interest in ready-to-drink, moderate-strength Cannabis options. Cooney and Zaccaro emphasized in their sponsor memo that independent liquor stores have the experience and infrastructure to handle these products responsibly. Beverages would sit in a separate, clearly marked section away from alcohol, with sales limited to adults 21 and older. Oversight would involve both the State Liquor Authority and the Office of Cannabis Management, ensuring compliance with inventory tracking via approved software systems.

Taxation adds another layer: a 9% excise tax would apply to transfers from distributors to permit holders, plus standard retail sales taxes (with some reports noting an additional 13% retail component in related analyses). Proceeds would feed into the state’s Cannabis revenue fund, supporting programs like loans and grants for social equity-owned dispensaries and operations at the Office of Cannabis Management.

This builds on Cooney’s prior work, including Senate Bill S8575 from late 2025 – the pending Hemp Beverage and Taxation Act – which targets similar low-potency hemp-derived drinks under a 10% tax structure. The new measure focuses strictly on adult-use Cannabis products while carving out a protected niche for licensed dispensaries, which continue to handle higher-potency items.

As of late February 2026, S9220 sits in the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee, and A10191 awaits action in the Assembly Economic Development Committee. No hearings have been scheduled, but the bill has drawn quick coverage from industry outlets and mainstream media, signaling early interest in Albany.

The idea offers a practical way to meet demand for discreet, sessionable formats without overhauling the existing dispensary model. Liquor stores gain a potential new revenue stream, while safeguards aim to prevent market overlap that could undercut the roughly 600 licensed Cannabis retailers already operating.

Whether the measure gains traction will depend on committee reviews, stakeholder input, and the broader session agenda. This proposal stands out for its measured approach: it acknowledges real consumer preferences for lighter options and leverages trusted retail networks, but preserves core protections for the young adult-use market. If passed, it could mark one of the more innovative steps yet in integrating Cannabis into everyday retail channels, all while keeping potency low and controls firm.