New York could soon start to get more recreational marijuana dispensaries after a judge approved legal settlements to end lawsuits that halted the state’s legal cannabis licensing program.

New York could soon start to get more recreational marijuana dispensaries after a judge on Friday approved legal settlements to end lawsuits that halted the state’s legal cannabis licensing program.

The settlements lift a court order that has blocked the state from processing or issuing retail marijuana licenses since August. State officials said the agreement will allow more than 400 potential retailers to move forward with pending applications to open storefronts.

“With this settlement behind us, hundreds of new licenses can now move forward, new stores will open, and consumers can legally buy safer, legal, tested cannabis products from New York-based entrepreneurs and small businesses,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.

  • @PainInTheAES
    1•1 year ago

    There’s another loophole in play already. Look into high THC-A hemp (/r/cultofFranklin). THC-A turns into THC with heat. These vendors sell “hemp” that’s below the legal limit in THC but like 20% THC-A. It gets shipped through USPS, it’s cheap, natural, and currently legal in most states. Sometimes the quality is not quite as good as dispensary and I’m sure the dispensary has stronger stuff. But this stuff gets me stoned, it’s not just a little buzz.

    • squiblet
      4•1 year ago

      Sounds odd because that’s how regular weed works. It is created as THCa in the plant and then turns to THC with decarboxylation.

      • @PainInTheAES
        1•1 year ago

        Yeah but I think the high THCa hemp being sold is using high THCa strains or harvesting earlier. IIRC the more the plant matures the more THCa turns into THC. The law is currently only testing for THC content not total cannabinoid connect but that may end up changing at some point.

    • Flying Squid
      1•1 year ago

      Why should I do that when I can just take a quick trip to Illinois and buy real weed from a dispensary where I can pre-order and the online menu tells me exactly how much THC and CBD each product has and have a friendly experience at the same time?

      Both of the dispensaries I have been to in Illinois have been really pleasant experiences. Everyone was very nice and friendly, which you can’t say for too many businesses these days. I find that alone worth going for because it’s so amazingly refreshing.

      • @PainInTheAES
        1•1 year ago

        Because those vendors also have an online store front and labs with THC and CBD breakdown, it’s cheaper, there’s no purchase limit, and shipped to your house. IDK about you but I’d rather sit at home than drive to another state. Also not everyone live near a legal state and/or wants to take the risk when driving back home.

        • Flying Squid
          1•1 year ago

          I can certainly see the benefits if it’s a long drive or you don’t live near a legal state, but it’s a quick trip up the interstate for me, I like supporting a small, essentially local, business, and, as I said, it’s a pleasant experience in a world with so few pleasant experiences, so I enjoy taking advantage of it.