B 26-0300 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Streatery Program Endorsement Extension and Medical Cannabis Clarification Temporary Amendment of 2025

This bill extends the Streatery Program (which allows restaurants to operate outdoor seating) through December 31, 2025, and adjusts fee deadlines for licensees. It requires most businesses to pay annual fees by April 1, 2025, while certain cannabis retailers (classes C/T, D/T, C/N, D/N, or B) must pay by September 30, 2025. The bill also clarifies medical cannabis store location rules near schools: existing license holders who applied before October 1, 2024, may operate within 300 feet of schools (instead of the usual 400 feet), with specific exceptions for applications during a defined 90-day period. These changes directly affect restaurants using streatery permits and medical cannabis retailers seeking location approvals.

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jun 2025

Committee Review

Council Passage

Oct 2025

Signed into Law

Dec 2025

Introduced Jun 30, 2025 Signed Dec 19, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossment → Enrollment · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill extends the Streatery Program to include the year 2025 and clarifies when specific licensees must pay their annual fees. It also updates a zoning rule to allow certain unlicensed marijuana establishments to open closer to schools if they applied during a specific 90-day window in 2024. Finally, it repeals an older temporary amendment and adds a clause stating the entire act will expire 225 days after it takes effect.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to cover the year 2025, and the applicability of the zoning exception was narrowed to only those who applied during a specific 90-day period in 2024.

TIMELINE

Extended the Streatery Program endorsement period to include 2025.

Added a new expiration clause stating the act will end 225 days after it takes effect.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the deadline for certain on-premises retailers and manufacturers to pay their 2025 fees from April 1 to September 30.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified zoning rules to allow unlicensed establishments that applied during a specific 90-day window in 2024 to locate within 300 feet of schools, provided the school entrance is on commercial or industrial land.

TECHNICAL

Removed a repealer section that referenced an older emergency amendment.

Floor votes · Council Oct 7, 2025

How they voted

13–0

Passed

Total votes 13

Oct 7, 2025

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent2

2 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Oct 7, 2025

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (13-0)

council

Jun 30, 2025

Introduced

B26-0300 Introduced by Councilmember McDuffie at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors