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.

  • @quindraco
    2•1 year ago

    I’m fairly certain only Congress can resechedule Marijuana - it was explicitly listed as Schedule 1 in the Controlled Substances Act. A President could try ordering the DEA to reschedule it, but it would end up before SCOTUS.