A New York federal court on Tuesday cleared the way for state regulators to begin issuing licenses for adult cannabis dispensaries to prospective business owners in Brooklyn and elsewhere.
New York times reports That the Manhattan 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals had “overturned part of an injunction that prevented cannabis regulators from issuing licenses to recreational dispensaries in some parts of New York, removing a major hurdle to initiating the state.”
The court’s decision allows regulators to issue 108 dispensary licenses in areas no longer subject to the injunction: Central New York, Western New York, Mid-Hudson and Brooklyn. But 18 licenses in the Finger Lakes region remain tied up in the lawsuit.” the times Explain.
“The new licenses could be approved as early as Monday, April 3, when the Cannabis Control Commission holds its monthly meeting. At least 18 licenses in affected regions have been ready for approval since November,” the Office of Cannabis Management said at the time.
New York launched its own regulated adult cannabis market late last year with the opening of a licensed retail store in Manhattan’s East Village.
Two more have opened in Manhattan since then, instead The first cannabis retailer opened in Queens on Thursday.
But Brooklyn, New York City’s most populous borough, has so far been shut down following an injunction in November by a federal court in Syracuse, New York.
The ruling by that court came in response to a lawsuit filed by a Michigan cannabis company that challenged New York’s licensing requirements.
But the partial revocation of the injunction this week clears the way for other heavily populated areas of New York State to join the regulated weed market.
“Revocation of the injunction clears the way for dispensaries to open in some of the state’s most populous areas, including Buffalo, Syracuse and the Hudson Valley, giving growers and manufacturers — who have been sitting on a mountain of stock — more places to sell their herb. But the transition from licensing to opening A process that could take several months. Since November, regulators have issued dispensary licenses to 56 businesses and 10 nonprofit groups. So far, only five stores have opened, in Manhattan, Ithaca, and Binghamton; two more are slated to open this week, in Queens and Schenectady.”
The ruling by the federal appeals court on Tuesday comes three weeks after New York state made the announcement Doubling the number of licenses for clinics.
“With this expansion, more entrepreneurs will be able to participate in the first wave of this industry, allowing them to take advantage of the growing demand for cannabis products,” Tremaine Wright, president of the New York Cannabis Control Council, said at the time. “As more companies enter this market, innovation and competition will increase, leading to better quality experiences for consumers. The expansion of the New York cannabis market will benefit all participants in this exciting industry.”
The first dispensary to open in Queens this week also has the distinction of being a first New york women owned cannabis dealer.
This herb store, called Good Grades, will start as a popup.
“I am delighted to open the doors of Good Grades, the first dispensary in Queens, New York,” said Good Grades Extasy owner James.
“We are incredibly excited to provide greater access to cannabis and break down the barriers that prevent so many people, especially those from marginalized communities, from experiencing the benefits of this amazing plant. We understand firsthand the stigma that has been associated with cannabis for far too long, and we are eager to Join the thriving cannabis community to help change that. Our dispensary is a welcoming and inclusive space where anyone can learn, explore and find the products best suited to their unique needs.”
