The Seneca County Supreme Court has ruled once again that Gramma Approved Sovereign Trades, a marijuana dispensary operating in a residential area of Seneca Falls, is unlawful. In a decision announced on Oct. 4, the court reaffirmed its previous judgment, confirming that the business is in violation of town regulations and continues to operate illegally.
The dispensary, which has been selling marijuana out of a toolshed for over three years, has been a point of contention between the Town of Seneca Falls and the Cayuga Nation. After the town failed to take action to halt the business’s operations, the Nation filed a lawsuit in Seneca County Supreme Court. The court’s latest decision upholds a previous judgment that declared Gramma Approved Sovereign Trades’ operations unlawful under the town code.
Carlin Seneca-John, who operates the dispensary, had sought to have the court vacate its earlier ruling. However, the court denied this request. The court pointed out that the Cayuga Nation, as a federally recognized tribe, is governed by federal laws like the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which preempts state and local regulations concerning activities such as gambling on tribal lands.
In its ruling, the court criticized Seneca-John for overlooking the legal status of the Cayuga Nation, and it highlighted that the interests of justice were not in favor of allowing Gramma Approved Sovereign Trades to continue operating. This marks the second time the court has deemed the business illegal, further pressing the Town of Seneca Falls to enforce its local laws.
The Cayuga Nation has expressed its intent to continue pursuing efforts to protect the community and ensure compliance with the law, underscoring the importance of maintaining safety and well-being for its citizens. The court’s decision represents another victory for the Nation in its legal battles concerning local zoning and public safety issues.
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