Court Order Halts New York Cannabis Dispensary Openings

A court order has halted the opening of new cannabis dispensaries in New York, blocking the state's cannabis regulatory agencies from issuing new licenses and granting operational approval to those already licensed. The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by a group of service-disabled veterans, who argued that a priority licensing program for entrepreneurs impacted by marijuana enforcement was unconstitutional. The program aimed to prioritize licenses for individuals with past cannabis convictions or immediate family members with convictions, as well as nonprofits serving formerly incarcerated populations. The court order has frustrated entrepreneurs, including veterans, who were supposed to receive priority licensing under the state's 2021 legalization law. A hearing in the case is scheduled for August 11th.