A significant legal settlement could lead to a rapid expansion of legal cannabis dispensaries in New York State.
Since the opening of the first legal dispensary in Greenwich Village last December, the growth of licensed dispensaries has been slow, with just 27 statewide.
However, this number is expected to increase substantially following a recent legal development.
The state’s Cannabis Control Board approved a settlement in a lawsuit filed by a group of veterans with disabilities. The veterans argued they were unfairly excluded from the first round of licensing, which primarily went to individuals with past marijuana convictions.
This lawsuit had halted the progress of the legal cannabis market since early August, leaving over 400 license-holders in limbo and causing financial strain for those prepared to open their dispensaries.
The resolution of this lawsuit is a relief for many in the industry. At least two dozen dispensaries are reportedly ready to open immediately.
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