New York cannabis regulators have approved a deal to settle lawsuits that have been preventing recreational dispensaries from opening. A court order has blocked the state from processing or issuing retail marijuana licenses since August. This agreement would lift that order. The lawsuits were filed to challenge rules that promised many of the first licenses would go to people with past drug convictions.Last summer, state Supreme Court Justice Kevin Bryant blocked the state’s licensing program from moving forward. He ruled that regulators improperly limited the first round of licenses to people with past convictions. The settlement still needs a judge’s approval before it can take effect. The New York State Cannabis Control Board said more than 400 provisional retail licensees will be able to move forward with their stores if the settlement is approved. Regulators also recently opened up a general application window to grow, process, distribute or sell marijuana, expecting to issue more than 1,000 new licenses, hoping to kickstart the market.
ALBANY, N.Y. —
New York cannabis regulators have approved a deal to settle lawsuits that have been preventing recreational dispensaries from opening.
A court order has blocked the state from processing or issuing retail marijuana