By New York state regulators announced Tuesday that the state has reached a settlement with cannabis operators in Michigan, paving the way for the Empire State’s regulated marijuana industry, which specifically includes the Finger Lakes region, to be fully implemented. .
A five-member panel of the New York Cannabis Control Board unanimously approves a settlement settlement with Michigan-based Variscite NY One, which sued the state last year after it was denied a cannabis retail license. bottom.
A subsequent lawsuit resulted in a court-ordered injunction in November that prevented New York from issuing licenses to several areas, including Brooklyn.
In March, the same federal judge lifted some of the injunctions, allowing the state to grant 99 new licenses, including Brooklyn, Mid-Hudson and other areas where licenses were temporarily banned. rice field. However, the injunction remained in force in Finger Lakes, the only area in New York State currently not assigned a license.
But Tuesday’s vote by the Cannabis Control Board could change that.
The lawsuit was filed last year by Variscite owner Kenneth Gay, who was previously convicted of cannabis-related crimes in Michigan.
New York State announced last year that the first phase of cannabis retail licenses would be granted to individuals previously convicted of cannabis crimes or family members of those convicted.
But Gay’s conviction occurred in Michigan, and New York regulators require license holders to have “serious” ties to the Empire State, so Gay’s application was denied.
Tuesday’s decision by the Cannabis Control Board is now subject to approval by a federal judge. If so, it would formally end the “court injunction that prevents the state from allowing it.” [Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary] We will license it to businesses in the Finger Lakes region,” he said, adding that “once the public license is launched, we will also secure adult licenses to plaintiffs.” According to Syracuse.com.
“We felt there was a strong case for this. Daniel said. “I am very pleased that we are looking into this matter today…not because we believe there is merit in this lawsuit, but because CAURD’s licensees also need to come to Finger Lakes and get the job done. “
Outlet noted “Most of the details of the settlement will remain confidential until filed and approved by the court later this week,” it said.
The adult cannabis marketplace launched in New York late last year with the opening of a store in Manhattan’s East Village neighborhood.
Other stores followed in Manhattan, with the first legal cannabis retailer opening in Queens in March. (It was also the first female-owned pharmacy in the state.)
After a federal judge lifted some injunctions earlier this year, the Cannabis Control Board announced in April that it had “granted at least one injunction.” [Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary, or “CAURD”] Temporary licenses in each area except Finger Lake remain blocked by injunctions. ”
The Board said at the time that the 99 new licenses granted “included four in West New York, one in Central New York, five in Mid-Hudson, and three in Brooklyn, and will be issued in these areas.” It was the first provisional license.” Following last week’s modification of a court injunction that prevented the board from issuing an injunction. ”
“We are pleased to announce the approval of 99 CAURD provisional licenses today, representing a significant expansion of our Seed Opportunity Initiative as we continue to build a fair market that offsets the harm caused by cannabis prohibition and its unjust enforcement. I’m proud,” said Chairman Tremaine Wright. The Cannabis Control Board said in a statement at the time:
