The state Supreme Court is considering a lawsuit that claims some New Yorkers who applied for state-issued cannabis licenses were unfairly given preferential treatment. A court hearing was held Friday in Kingston. A ruling in the case could reshape the state's cannabis industry. Christine Richardson was overcome with emotion when she was finally granted a license to open … [Read more...] about Court allows 23 cannabis stores to open in N.Y. amid injunction
The Empire Strikes Back
New York cannabis industry changes lives of those previously convicted on marijuana charges
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Ryan Martin was arrested for a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana in 2000. “It wasn’t a high point in my life at that time,” said Martin, owner of MJ Dispensary. But now, it's helping him in ways he never thought possible. “Here we are 23 years later where that is actually coming into my life in a positive fashion which is, you know, ironic to say … [Read more...] about New York cannabis industry changes lives of those previously convicted on marijuana charges
New York’s legal cannabis industry, on hold after a court injunction, awaits Friday hearing
A state Supreme Court judge will hold a hearing Friday on a challenge to the state’s retail cannabis licensing rules that has brought New York’s troubled recreational marijuana rollout to a halt. Earlier this month, Judge Kevin Bryant issued an injunction barring the state Office of Cannabis Management, or OCM, from licensing any new retail cannabis stores after four … [Read more...] about New York’s legal cannabis industry, on hold after a court injunction, awaits Friday hearing
Judge sides with disabled veterans in New York marijuana dispensary lawsuit
NEW YORK -- A New York judge has blocked retail marijuana licensing in a blow to the marketplace. The shelves are up but empty at Hush, a hopeful dispensary in the Bronx. "You did great, licensing next week and -- injunction, no more license," dispensary applicant Levent Ozkurt said. Ozkurt was approved for a dispensary license earlier this month, but it was quickly put on … [Read more...] about Judge sides with disabled veterans in New York marijuana dispensary lawsuit
10 things we know about the Cannabis Growers Showcase
New York cannabis farmers are growing pot much faster than the smattering of legal stores can sell it. To ease the glut, state officials are allowing pot growers to team up with sellers for a type of cannabis farmers market that would offer their wares directly to consumers. But setting up a showcase comes with some formidable hurdles that could limit their popularity among … [Read more...] about 10 things we know about the Cannabis Growers Showcase
New York judge extends ban on cannabis licenses
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WCAX) - A New York judge has extended the ban on cannabis licenses for another two weeks while a legal challenge plays out in court. That’s according to multiple media reports. The news from Friday’s hearing in Ulster County was a blow to advocates for the state’s growing marijuana market. Last week, we heard from a North Country business manager who said … [Read more...] about New York judge extends ban on cannabis licenses
New law can punish landlords who lease to illegal NYC pot shops
Members of the New York City Sheriff's Department conduct a raid on Weed World on 7th Ave. in Manhattan on Thursday, April, 20, 2023 in New York City. The city’s efforts to weed out illegal pot shops have a new feature: a law punishing commercial landlords who knowingly lease space to the unlicensed joints. The law, which took effect July 23, was highlighted by two of its City … [Read more...] about New law can punish landlords who lease to illegal NYC pot shops
Hochul team flunked NY’s legal marijuana rollout while letting black market thrive, cannabis advocates say
The Hochul administration’s slow rollout of New York’s legal cannabis trade was a real buzzkill — and the market is still far from recovered from it, an industry group says in a stinging “report card.” The Coalition for Access to Regulated and Safe Cannabis gave the state Office of Cannabis Management the failing grades of three Fs, one D, a D+, and a C- in various … [Read more...] about Hochul team flunked NY’s legal marijuana rollout while letting black market thrive, cannabis advocates say
NY’s legal weed sales aren’t raking in cash as predicted. How much has sold so far?
As New York cracked down on unlicensed cannabis shops, sales of legal marijuana grew to reach a total of $33 million during the industry’s first six months, state records show. But the legal cannabis marketplace, which launched in January, remains far from realizing the lofty political promises of state lawmakers who championed adult-use marijuana legalization in 2021. Instead … [Read more...] about NY’s legal weed sales aren’t raking in cash as predicted. How much has sold so far?
Lawsuit alleges state denies disabled veterans cannabis licenses
A group of New York-based military veterans are suing New York's Office of Cannabis Management's Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries program, claiming the state has largely kept licenses from disabled veterans "and other minority groups the law prioritizes." Four veterans who, according to a press release, have collectively served more than two decades in the U.S. … [Read more...] about Lawsuit alleges state denies disabled veterans cannabis licenses
